chased leaders, went second 6th, pressed leader after 9th, ridden along briefly before 10th, led 11th, headed 13th, pushed along to lead again before 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden 2 out (usual 3 out), headed after last (usual 2 out), no extra flat
midfield when blundered and unseated rider 1st
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 1st
led, hit 9th, headed 11th, led 13th, headed before 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened next
held up, mistake 12th, struggling from 14th, detached from 3 out (usual 4 out)
prominent, ridden along when not fluent 4 out (usual 5 out), every chance when mistake next, plugged on to go second flat
towards rear, headway after 4 out (usual 5 out), joined leaders going well 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden last (usual 2 out), found little for pressure
mid-division, took closer order 9th, ridden to challenge 2 out (usual 3 out), led after last (usual 2 out, stayed on strongly flat
William Of Orange has taken on a new lease of life since joining Mark Walford while Cooking Fat and I'm To Blame are starting to look well treated on past form. Bafana Blue led the Highlands National field for a long way at Perth 11 days ago having won earlier at Wetherby but Court Dreaming is having a first outing since finishing last at Newcastle in November. Tanarpino has also had a break so this can go to BOOTLEGGER, whose second to One More Fleurie at Doncaster in February has worked out well. Tristan Davidson’s gelding has at least matched that effort in subsequent starts over shorter trips and still has time on his side.
Tanarpino 6-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, reminders 7th, not fluent 9th, ridden to chase leaders 12th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bootlegger (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, mistake 3rd, slow next, closed before 5th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out until last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Equus Dancer (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
William Of Orange 15-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd after 12th, 2nd again and hit 14th, led before 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Manwell (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, blundered 9th, ridden 4 out, joined 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 18 1/4l behind Cracking Find (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Court Dreaming (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, last of 6, 18l behind The Ferry Master (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Bafana Blue 16-1 (11-2) Disputed lead throughout, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost second at last, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Cyclop (11-11) at Perth 3m 7f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Cooking Fat 7-1 (11-11) In rear, ridden 3 out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Caltex (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Exit To Where (FR) 9-2jfav (11-0) Disputed lead, headed after 5th, led again 8th, headed after 9th, led before 4 out, headed next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 11, 23 1/2l behind Another Emotion (11-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
