led or disputed lead, driven approaching last, edged right flat, headed towards finish
chased leaders, jumped slowly 1st, hit 5th and unseated rider
chased leaders, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, not fluent 18th, went 2nd before 2 out, jumped right last, led towards finish, stayed on
led or disputed lead, not fluent 19th, ridden 5 out, 3rd and beaten 2 out, mistake last
NonRunner
NonRunner
ARBEO is not an easy ride but has won three times around here over 3m and it may be worth risking that Diana Grissell's 10-year-old will stay the extra as he looks the type that will find more when the chips are down. There are no stamina doubts surrounding Leg Iron but December's Plumpton scorer has never won off a mark this high. Soft going would be a real concern for supporters of American Legend but Rocky Bender will handle conditions. Ballyrath is closely matched with Leg Iron on collateral form but far less exposed so it would be no surprise to see the six-year-old involved in the shake-up.
Leg Iron (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led until 5th, pressed leader, led again 4 out, clear before 2 out, in command when mistake last, comfortably, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Buckhorn Tom (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ballyrath (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Led, headed 1st, tracked leader until 5th, went 2nd again 8th, challenged 4 out, led after next, driven and headed before last, no impression on winner flat, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Cernunnos (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Rocky Bender (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway under pressure 15th, blundered next, soon beaten, 4th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Golden Chieftain (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Arbeo (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leader until ridden after 4 out, one paced next, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind Beg To Differ (11-11) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
American Legend (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In rear, behind when hampered and unseated rider 12th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.