Kaldouas held up in mid-division, slightly hampered 6th, headway approaching 7th, led 10th, clear from 4 out, eased considerably flat

He´s The Gaffer held up towards rear, headway 9th, disputed 2nd from 4 out but no chance with winner

Eljay´s Boy held up in touch, mistake 9th, disputed 2nd from 4 out but no chance with winner, weakened flat

Lankawi chased leader to 4th, mistake and lost place 7th, went poor 4th 2 out

Smoke Trail prominent, chased leader 4th to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off

Guilt always in rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 4 out

Strong Weld led, jumped right 1st, pecked slightly 2nd, headed 10th, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out

Sninfia held up and behind, headway approaching 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out

Allumee held up in touch, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out

Bill´s Echo always behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th

The rain had definitely got into the ground by this stage. This was quite a competitive handicap, run at a good pace, and those that finished were well strung out.

KALDOUAS was somewhat frustrating last term and the handicapper had not really relented, but he has always had the ability and he got his head in front for the first time in a year. The fast-run race at this trip on a flat track suited him, as did the bit of ease in the ground, and this very comfortable success will have bolstered his confidence. His handicap mark will take a hit, however.

He's The Gaffer, who reverted to fences when third over course and distance last time, ran a respectable race to get the better of a drawn-out tussle for second, but had no chance with the winner. A return to further may benefit him.

Eljay's Boy made a pleasing reappearance over hurdles recently and he ran his race on this return to fences, although he was only playing for places once the winner came clear. He could probably do with being dropped a few pounds.

Smoke Trail, a stablemate of the runner-up, ran well for a long way and should be sharper for this first run since November.

Sninfia looked a mare on the upgrade when scoring at Bangor but the 12lb she was raised for that effort seemed to take its toll.

Strong Weld, who beat subsequent scorer Seymour Weld at Uttoxeter last time, was 3lb well in here, but after making the running once again he dropped away quickly once headed and was pulled up.

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