led until pushed along 12th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair until before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leader, not fluent 1st, reminders after 4th, lost 2nd 6th, soon lost place, behind and pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 12th, ridden between last 2, joined last, pressed run-in, caught post
held up in last pair, steady headway on inside approaching 11th, 3rd before 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 13th, challenged last, driven run-in, led post
held up in rear, went left 5th, mistake 12th, ridden and strugging in 5th after 13th, went poor 4th after 2 out, blundered last
chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden before 12th, weakened next
Gardiners Hill is back on his favourite course after failing complete the four-timer at Plumpton but has gone up in the weights again, though the booking of Richard Johnson is a statement of intent. After Hours has yet to win over fences but has been second three times and can’t be ruled out. Crown Hill stayed on well to win over 2m at Leicester last time but an 8lb rise looks harsh. FREDDIES PORTRAIT was second over this trip at Ayr before going one better over 2m at Carlisle. Lightly-raced under Rules, Donald McCain’s grey can follow up here despite an 8lb rise.
Freddies Portrait (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when jumped right 4th, 8 lengths off leader 4 out, closed from last, led flat, stayed on, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Greybougg (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Stop The Press 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place before 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
After Hours (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd approaching 8th, 2nd before 3 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Doitforthevillage (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Gardiners Hill (IRE) 5-4fav (12-4) Held up in 6th, closer in 5th place 7th, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression when mistake 2 out, 4th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Clonusker (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Crown Hill (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Mid-division on outside, headway after 8th, 2nd after 3 out, jumped left 2nd, switched right before last and flat, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Storming Strumpet (12-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Duncomplaining (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out until stumbled slightly 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 21 1/2l behind Lough Derg Farmer (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Arquebusier (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 22 3/4l behind Beggar's Wishes (11-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.