held up in 4th, closed 3 out, switched right before 2 out, went 1 length 2nd when mistake last, ridden and no impression on winner flat
held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, held up in rear, effort 3 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, 1 length ahead when nearest rival when made mistake last, ridden and stayed on strongly to draw clear flat
jumped right, chased leader until 3 out, weakened 2 out
raced keenly, led, not fluent 3 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, no extra flat
Carlos Felix was a long way behind the unbeaten Fiveandtwenty when making his debut at Musselburgh and is unlikely to turn the tables on Donald McCain’s filly, who has taken well to jumping. ADAGIO couldn’t match the finishing speed of Quilixios in the Triumph but that was another very solid performance from David Pipe’s gelding, who has done nothing wrong in his hurdling career to date and will ensure that likely hot favourite Monmiral will have to improve again to extend his winning run. Paros made all to beat older horses at Musselburgh but, like John Locke, will need to show massive improvement to win a race like this.
Adagio (GER) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, closer on outside before 2 out, 2nd soon after 2 out, 2 lengths down and pushed along last, stayed on to hold 2nd but never going pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Quilixios (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Carlos Felix (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, some headway 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened and never involved, 7th of 8, dist behind Fiveandtwenty (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
John Locke 11-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 2nd on long run briefly before 2 out, no extra and weakened into 4th between last 2, 4th of 9, 21l behind Tritonic (10-12) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Monmiral (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Raced in second until pressed leader 4th, led next, headed 3 out before quickening to lead again 2 out, hung left but ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Feb beating Nassalam (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Paros (FR) 9-4 (10-13) Disputed lead, led 5th, pressed briefly home turn and approaching 3 out, kicked clear after 2 out, pushed out, easy, won at Musselburgh 2m (3) gs in Mar beating Mackenberg (11-6) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fiveandtwenty 6-4fav (10-10) Made all, led, upped tempo 3 out, clear when not fluent 2 out, pushed out after the last and never in trouble, won at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Historic Heart (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
