close up when fell 4th
close up, led 4 out, headed 2 out, one pace from last, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, rallied next, stayed on from last, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in touch, weakened 12th
led to 4 out, led again 2 out, jumped right last, held on well towards finish
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 5 out, ridden and weakened next
in rear and mistakes, pushed along and struggling from 9th
held up, hampered 4th, pushed along approaching 10th, pulled up after 12th
Nonrunner
Dickie Lewis is as exposed as everything else in this stayers' handicap chase but can come out on top from Ryminster and Almire Du Lia. The Donald McCain-trained selection ran up a hat-trick in January and February over both hurdles and fences. Bottomless ground and a test of stamina suits him well and although he was beaten last time from this mark, he is still in good form and with his main rival also having gone up again in the weights he is probably good enough. That main danger looks to be Ryminster. John Wade's charge scored over c&d on good ground last time but he handles any going, though he has to produce a career best now to follow up. Almire Du Lia was a soft ground Ayr scorer a couple of runs ago and back over this trip he can go well again. Conditions will also suit Sovereign's Joy, who has frame claims, while the first-time visor may help Predestine make a good fist of it from top weight. However, Dickie Lewis is in good form and is very consistent, so he gets the vote.
Predestine (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up, stumbled badly 11th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Trisons Star (11-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Sovereign's Joy 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 10th, ridden 12th, weakened after 13th, 5th of 9, 49l behind Sporting Rebel (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Ryminster 9-2 (10-11) Held up behind, outpaced 5 out, rallied 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat to lead near finish, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar beating Ocarina (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Almire du Lia (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Behind, headway 9th, outpaced when left 4th 5 out, plugged on from next, never dangerous, 4th of 13, well behind Ballynure (9-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
Dickie Lewis 3-1 (11-7) Made most, headed 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Sound Of Cheers 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 22l behind Wednesday Country (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf.
Stormont Dawn (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Always behind, 6th of 9, 42l behind Reckless Venture (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Abzuson 10-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, chased leader, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 41l behind Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Skenfrith 8-1 (11-5) Not fluent, chased leaders, driven 8th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ballynure (9-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Silver Dagger 40-1 (10-0) Soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ryminster (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
