close up in 3rd on outside, went 2nd at 6th, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with clear winner, lost 2nd between last 2, weakened flat
tracked winner, 3rd when not fluent 6th, not fluent again 4 out, soon outpaced, blundered and lost place next, weakened 2 out
held up off the pace in 4th, close up 8th, outpaced before 4 out, went 3rd next, ridden to chase clear winner between last 2, kept on, never a threat
made all, driven and drew readily clear after 3 out, well in command when ridden between last 2, ran on, comfortably
held up off the pace in rear, not fluent 5 out, driven and outpaced before next, ridden after 3 out, stayed on into modest 3rd after last, no chance with winner
NonRunner
COPAIN DE CLASSE has a victory over Azzuri in the book from earlier in the season but there is little between them now at these revised weights. Both appear to have their quirks but the pair do set the standard and the topweight is just preferred to confirm placings in the belief he has greater scope for improvement. Valhalla is respected but close form inspection suggests he's possibly flattered by recent form figures. He'll probably set out to make all. Lofgren is searching for form at present and both Prairie Town and Verona Opera, whilst solid enough in their grade, are likely to have to improve on recent efforts to prevail here.
Copain De Classe (FR) 11-10fav (11-8) Jumped left at times, led, joined 2 out, hung right and headed after 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake last, no extra run-in, last of 5, 5 1/4l behind Vocaliser (10-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Valhalla (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Not always fluent, led and set very steady pace, headed 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd before next, ridden and weakened between last 2, last of 3, 14l behind Happy Diva (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f (3) sft in Mar.
Lofgren 150-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, hampered 18th, struggling after, behind when mistake 20th, well behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 4m (1) sft in Mar.
Azzuri 20-1 (10-9) Went left at times, prominent, jumped big 1st, led before next, headed last, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Colin's Brother (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Prairie Town (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led into start, reluctant to jump off and lost about 20 lengths, closed after 2nd, went 2nd 6th, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression on winner after, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Skipping On (10-3) at Towcester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Verona Opera (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Towards rear, tracked leaders 4th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 9, 28 1/4l behind Calipto (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
