Tote Win £6.90 Tote Place £1.80 £1.50 £2.20 £1.60 Straight Forecast £37.22 Exacta £31.30 Trifecta £131.20 Swingers 1&2 £6.30, 2&3 £6.90, 1&3 £8.10

Jackpot £251,836.38 carried forward to Uttoxeter, 19th Mar
Placepot £4,332.10, Pool: £969985.4, 163.45 winning tickets
Quadpot £530.70, Pool: £45633.74, 63.62 winning tickets

A ragged start but a poetic finish as ZARKANDAR scythed through the field to win going away. Ridden by Daryl Jacob, he was settled into a nice rhythm in the first half dozen, as Sailors Warn, Architrave and Houblon Des Obeaux led the charge to the first hurdle. Considering the charge to the first (which arguably should have been a false start), they didn't actually go that quick during the majority of the race. One horse who notably pulled for her head was a Media Luz, and whilst she was still on the bridle turning for home, she was always likely to empty out after expending too much energy and that's exactly what she did; in the end she was pulled up. The race started to hot up at the top of the hill as you'd expect, as Smad Place was one of several horses whose jumping started to fail under pressure. Meanwhile Grandouet had travelled so strongly that he moved into the lead turning for home and was travelling as well as anything in behind. However he is a horse with plenty of speed, and when Unaccompanied and Zarkandar tracked him through approaching the last, one had the sinking feeling that the game was up. To his credit he ran on well, but this developed into a fight-out between Zarkandar and Unaccompanied. However what promised to be a proper duel was soon put to bed as the winner jumped the last like a horse who had just joined in and fairly bounded up the hill. Whilst he loved the good ground, one feels that his rival filly would have preferred softer going. As it was she ran a cracker, and it is significant that she is the first of the owners horses to go hurdling in all the years they've had horses. The most bizarre scene up the hill was Sam Winner running on from a mile back as if he'd been fitted with a rocket booster. He was caught on his heels at the start and was further back than his jockey would have liked, and he lost his place badly around half-way, seemingly for no other reason than he was too slow. However he started to gather steam down the hill, made his way past slowing horses, and really flew up the run-in. The trip was always likely to be on the sharp side for this future chaser and his day will come, although it might not be on the New Course where he has failed to convince twice now. There might also be some question marks over his attitude after this strange run. Sir Pitt was given no chance on the ratings or in the market, but he ran a cracker; he was never too far off the pace on the outside of the field and he lost little caste in defeat. Sailors Warn was very keen early on but he tried to skip away off the home turn to steal the race, however he was fairly quickly picked up. This was a good run on quick ground and he ran well. Third Intention was poor at the first and never really threatened to get into the race from midfield, whilst Local Hero, who had beaten him earlier on in the season, was unable to confirm the placings. Brampour got tired after a concerted effort before two out, whilst Trop Fort blundered away any slim chance he had at the first.