held up in touch, went briefly 6 out and jumped slow, soon reminders, went 2nd again 4 out, one pace in 3rd before last
held up towards rear, pushed along before 12th, outpaced 4 out, kept on before last, just held for 3rd towards finish
tracked winner until 6 out, soon regained 2nd, ridden before last, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, soon lost place, tracked leaders before 10th, pushed along before 4 out, never dangerous
made all, clear from 4th, kept on strongly from last
in rear and soon pushed along, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
Royal Sam had some decent form in Ireland without managing a victory but hasn't shown much for new connections. Forty Crown has only run twice over fences but he's won a bumper and twice been successful over hurdles so he's expected to improve. Solis makes his chasing debut at a very advanced age and LADY OF VERONA looks the one to be on. She fell on her debut over fences but showed that had no effect with a fair effort at Kelso last time. She holds Maggie Blue on earlier hurdles form while Danebrook Lad has been beaten a long way in all starts over hurdles.
Forty Crown (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 7th, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Captain Clayton (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Solis (GER) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 24l behind Total Assets (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Royal Sam (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Etxalar (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Maggie Blue (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Close up, pressed leader when hit 10th, ridden when weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 39l behind Brae On (10-7) at Kelso 3m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Lady Of Verona (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace under pressure, no impression, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Rocking Blues (11-11) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
Danebrook Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Gulf Punch (11-9) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
