with leader until weakened after 5 out
chased leaders, led approaching 8th. headed 2 out, upsides when hit last rallied to lead towards finish, just held on
in touch, went 2nd at 5th, weakened from 10th, pulled up after 5 out
made most until headed approaching 8th, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, weakened from 10th, pulled up before next
held up jumped slowly 1st, chased leading pair approaching 4 out, held in 3rd when hit 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, hit 2nd, not fluent 9th, ridden next, soon struggling
held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 9th challenged 4 out led 2 out headed towards finish, just failed
Nonrunner
Gaora Lane, Nikola and Learning The Blues look the trio to focus on here, with Nikola taken to lead them home. Gaora Lane relished testing conditions at Plumpton two outings ago but the surface will be much quicker here. He had to settle for second in a four runner affair last time and is opposed. Learning The Blues will enjoy the fast ground but made mistakes over fences last time when made favourite. He may improve for that experience but he needs to jump better and is also taken on. A winner at Leicester three outings ago, Nikola was only run out of it in the closing stages at Bangor last time. He has a touch of quality and Nikola can come out on top.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Tracked winner, not fluent 10th, challenged 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance approaching last where not fluent, one pace flat, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Rajam (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
Nikola (FR) 2-1jt-fav (10-9) Always prominent, went 2nd 9th, led 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Montevideo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
Cengiz (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Held up, driven after 9th, o chance when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Orrezzo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Franco (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Left in lead after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 3rd of 13, 24l behind Karanja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Inch Over 16-1 (10-7) Held up, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Montevideo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Learning The Blues (FR) 2-5fav (11-0) Led, not fluent 8th, headed next, soon lost interest, not fluent 10th, switched left and plugged on after 2 out, took moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Dynamic Rhythm (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Seymour Weld 7-1 (10-7) Chased winner from 7th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, effort after next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 28l behind Wee Forbees (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Sninfia (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) With leader, led 7th, mistake 8th, headed flat, rallied close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Oh Crick (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd.
Tanners Court 33-1 (10-7) Chased winner, ridden after 13th, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Kings Euro (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
