chased leaders, reminders after 10th, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
last pair, weakened 4 out, behind when blundered next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last trio, pushed along after 8th, driven in 4th after 3 out, went 3rd approaching next, no chance with leading duo
bumped 1st, led and disputed, mistake and headed 4th, led again narrowly 11th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, chased winner, crossed when switched left soon after last, driven and stayed on same pace flat
went right and bumped 1st, led and disputed, led narrowly 4th until 11th, pressed leader, led again soon after 2 out, went right last, driven and stayed on well flat
chased leading pair, mistake 11th, pushed along and lost 3rd before 2 out, soon weakened
well in rear, mistake 1st, stumbled 9th, reminders and struggling after 11th, tailed off when stumbled badly 4 out, pulled up before next
This won't take much winning and Craiglands must go on the short-list, despite a long losing run. He's been placed in better company of late and has form over the track and trip. Top Benefit was third in the race last year off a 14lb higher mark but hasn't shown much lately and Caspian Piper has done little over fences so far. I Know The Code was third over 2m6f here last month, though still beaten 20 lengths. WITCH'S HAT has only managed one career win in 21 starts but likes it here and doesn't look badly treated- he gets a tentative vote.
Caspian Piper (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place when not fluent 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Bill The Lad (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
I Know The Code (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, behind 12th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Nail 'm (11-10) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Craiglands (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, led briefly before 8th, pushed along before 10th, pushed along and lost 3rd before 3 out, no chance with leading duo, well clear of rest, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Fredo (11-11) at Sandown 2m 4f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) sft.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leader until after 5th, stayed handy, jumped left and not fluent 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 42l behind Lord Landen (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Cosway Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, not fluent 12th, well behind after 13th, went modest 4th from 2 out, 4th of 8, 27l behind Keltic Rhythm (10-11) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Top Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway 3rd, lost place when not fluent 9th, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Kentford Legend (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
My Silver Lilly 12-1 (9-11) In rear, not fluent 2nd or 6th, struggling 12th, 7th of 9, well behind Carli King (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
