led, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, rallied to regain lead towards finish
tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, headed towards finish, kept on
tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, soon outpaced, weakened next
Withdrawn
Apterix won at Sedgefield and Wetherby before Christmas but has had his limitations exposed since. He may struggle to give 6lb to BIVOUAC, who was probably a better hurdler and is sure to have learned plenty from his second to Gala Ball at Exeter, though he never threatened the winner that day. Jack In A Box has been beaten a long way in small fields at Southwell and Sedgefield while Allbarnone has only won one of his 19 career starts and is making his chasing debut at the age of nine.
Apterix (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders until weakened 4 out, tailed off, modest 3rd, 3rd of 4, dist behind Frodon (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) gd in Feb.
Allbarnone 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, struggling after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, dist behind Clondaw Cian (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Jack In A Box 7-2 (11-0) Chased winner and not fluent, ridden before last, never able to challenge, last of 2, 37l behind Chidswell (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Bivouac (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Took keen hold and raced wide early, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th (water) until pushed along approaching 4 out, no impression when left modest 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Gala Ball (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
