prominent, hampered 5th, mistake next, reminder and weakened before 3 out
led until fell 5th
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on
held up in last, slow 9th, went 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, not trouble winner
not always fluent, chased leaders, raced keenly, left in lead 5th, headed before 2 out, lost 2nd flat, no extra
Black Pirate was third here on his chasing bow in December and placed again at Haydock last month. He’s been dropped a further pound and will be fancied to make it third-time lucky but it’s about time SLANELOUGH was getting his head in front. Rose Dobbin’s nine-year-old didn’t quite last home over further at Doncaster last month but still finished ahead of Discko Des Plages, who was under pressure when unseating his rider over this trip at Uttoxeter last weekend. Ain't My Fault is still 4lb higher than when successful at Hexham in October while Smiths Cross has yet to win over hurdles or fences.
Black Pirate 13-2 (11-7) Close up, left in lead 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, jumped left next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 10 3/4l behind Protek Des Flos (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Slanelough (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, led, ridden and joined 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Zalvados (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ain't My Fault (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Mid-division, ridden over 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Victory Echo (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Smiths Cross (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Made most until driven, headed and hung left before last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Dubai Days (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Discko Des Plages (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, shaken up before 4 out, left 2nd 4 out, challenging when mistake and left in lead 3 out, soon unseated rider, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
