held up, mistake 5th, headway 7th, outpaced 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenged last, led flat, stayed on
jumped right, prominent, led 3rd, hampered by loose horse before 4 out, driven after 2 out, joined last, headed flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 6th
prominent, hampered 3rd, lost place before 7th, outpaced 4 out, no impression after, weakened before jumping left 2 out
led, jumped left 2nd, slow and headed next, lost place 7th, not fluent 9th, mistake when weakening 4 out, mistake 3 out
IONA DAYS arrives here far fresher than his rivals. He is a horse who enjoys decent ground, hence his limited appearances this term and ideally he would not want the ground to deteriorate further from the forecast soft. Ground permitting, he is the one to beat. Finnegan's Garden has been a good servant to the Davisons this term but did take a crashing unseat latest. He's returned to action quickly so presumably all is well and he's a danger. Champion Chase shaped better the last day and would be competitive if delivering similarly here and Touch Screen is also of interest reverting to a more appropriate trip.
Iona Days (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Close up, ridden to chase winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Iskabeg Lane (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd, at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Champion Chase (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, outpaced after next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Normandy King (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Touch Screen (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) In touch in rear, blundered 4th, headway 4 out, pressed winner approaching 3 out until next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Alberto's Dream (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Heurtevent (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, led before 3f out, headed over 2f out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Skipping On (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Kostaquarta (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Jumped left, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, soon lost place, slow 5th, ridden and struggling form 9th, behind after 12th, pulled up before 4 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
