held up towards rear, faultered and pulled up before 6th
tracked leader, in 3rd and mistake 3 out, weakened from 2 out
led, headed before 3 out, held in 2nd when blundered 2 out, ridden and held in 3rd when left 2nd from last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd before 2 out, one pace in 4th went left 3rd from last, no impression
held up in rear, mistake 9th, headway 2 out, about 5 lengths down in 2nd when left in lead last, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, led over 3 out, clear before 2 out, about 5 lengths up when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, tailed off from 7th
The best race on the card and the most difficult to unravel. Old Schinken Otto is a six times course and distance winner and handles all types of ground but has been struggling a little in his last two runs. Tahiti Pearl may be a shade high in the weights now but did have Bhaltair well behind at Newcastle in the autumn and the latter beat Exotic Man at Musselburgh in December. Granville Island had Tahiti Pearl behind at Doncaster two runs ago but has been struggling to get his head in front and recent Catterick winner Bridlingtonbygones is just as interesting. Sawpit Supreme also has a chance but MON CHEVALIER is starting to look well handicapped again and, with Micheal Nolan excellent value for his 5lb claim, the Somerset raider can justify his long trip.
Bhaltair (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Led, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Monarch's Way (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 4th from 5 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in, 4th of 10, 3l behind Diamond Frontier (11-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Granville Island (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked winner until before 6th, chased winner before 2 out uintil no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Conquisto (11-7) at Southwell 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next, modest 4th, 4th of 7, 33l behind Shangani (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb.
Bridlingtonbygones (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, took closer order 7th, went 3rd before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd before last, led run-in, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m nov chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar beating Sparville (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Exotic Man (FR) 6-4fav (10-7) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Bridlingtonbygones (11-0) at Catterick 2m nov chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Sawpit Supreme 2-1 (11-10) Led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Little Jimmy (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Keen close up, lost place 9th, not a threat after, 6th of 7, 12l behind Sleep In First (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Mar.
