always towards rear, not fluent, struggling from 6 out
in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, led before last, kept on well
always well behind
tracked leader, challenged when not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on and always held
led, pushed along before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace
Henry De Bromhead’s stable has been a bit quiet lately but the Knockeen handler has won this twice in the last five years and PETIT MOUCHOIR is the clear form choice on recent runs behind the mighty Footpad. He’s unlikely to have to make his own running today as Shantou Rock goes from the front and will ensure there is no hanging about. The mare Lady Buttons deserves her chance at this level as she had the smart Rene’s Girl well beaten when scoring on her debut over the larger obstacles and followed up easily at Newcastle. Diego Du Charmil was still going well when falling at Ascot last month but is held by Shantou Rock on earlier form. Kauto Riko and Delegate may be out of their depth.
Delegate 5-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th until 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Beeno (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, tracked leader 2nd, led 5th until after 7th, chased leader, going well and every chance when knuckled on landing and fell 3 out, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Kauto Riko (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Held up, steady headway 8th, tracked leaders next, went 2nd going well 3 out, led between last 2, hung badly left under pressure and strongly pressed in closing stages, held on (disqualified and placed 2nd), won at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Beau Bay (10-13) by nk, 8 ran.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Led from 1st until 4th, led 6th, clear 4 out until before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, hit last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 14 3/4l behind Footpad (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Shantou Rock (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Sceau Royal (11-5) at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Lady Buttons 4-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders early, in rear and in touch, smooth headway from 3 out, led before 2 out, readily, won at Newcastle 2m (2) sft in Feb beating Bollin Ace (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
