tracked leading pair, 2nd after 5th, ridden and no chance with winner from 3 out
tracked leaders, went close 3rd after 8th, hit 4 out, weakened next
raced wide, chased winner until after 5th, lost 3rd after 8th, struggling when blundered badly and unseated rider 10th
tracked leaders, left in modest 4th at 10th, struggling when jumped slowly 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
jumped well but jumped right, made all, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
NonRunner
Sam Red has a double penalty for his victories over fences in October and hasn't been in the same kind of form since a heavy fall at Newcastle in December. Winning point-to-pointer and hurdler Step Back will be receiving 12lb and his two runs over fences suggest he's ready to win soon though it's about time CAPTAIN BUCK'S was shedding his maiden tag over fences. Paul Nicholls' charge, a winning bumper and hurdler, couldn't handle the step up in class in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but three earlier narrow defeats suggest he'll be ready for this. Remind Me Later, a winner on good going at Worcester in October, ran well enough in a better race at Ascot a month later and should be winning again on summer ground.
Sam Red (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Kept wide most of way, held up behind, headway and in touch 3rd, reminders after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Jeannot De Nonant (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Captain Buck's (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, never on terms, weakened last, 16th of 20, dist behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Iskrabob 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
Native Gamut (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led until 5th, every chance 4 out, jumped left 3 out, no impression on winner from next, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Bollin Ace (11-2) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Mar.
Step Back (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced and lost 3rd 16th, hit 18th, rallied after 2 out, went 3rd at the last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Tanit River (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Remind Me Later (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside after 14th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, kept on approaching 2 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Toviere (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.