held up, mistakes 6th and 7th, headway after 4 out, ridden and weakened next
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out
held up in rear, ridden 7th, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression after
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last
held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra towards finish
with leader, weakened after 4 out
Nobel can defy topweight at the expense of Lampion du Bost, Lutin du Moulin and Powerlove. Trainer Nicky Richards saddles the two at the top of the handicap here, but preference is very much for Nobel, the mount of Rose Davidson, and the fact that she can claim seven-pounds is a bonus. The five-year-old, owned by Rose's parents, came good under today's pilot on only his fifth British start at Musselburgh in January, and although the going was faster then, he will have no problems encountering any soft patches that remain, having won with cut in the ground in France. Quite simply, he remains open to plenty of improvement and should follow up. Lampion du Bost gave an encouraging performance when second over slightly shorter here, and may well uphold that form over Lutin du Moulin who was a head behind in third. Neither have impressed greatly though, and a bigger danger may well be Powerlove who continues to progress as proved by her promising run when second at Musselburgh in January. None make as much appeal though as Nobel who can take the prize, if you'll pardon the pun.
Nobel (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, led last and ran on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jan beating Oscar The Boxer (10-5) by 3l, 10 ran.
Lutin du Moulin (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed approaching next, kept on, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Morgan Be (11-9) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Powerlove (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Reem Two (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Dalawan 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, jumped right 8th, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 33l behind Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Dec.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, kept on well from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Morgan Be (11-9) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Bromley Abbey 33-1 (10-9) Chased winner, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Merryvale Man (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
King's Envoy (USA) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost touch from 6th, 11th of 15, well behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Cash Bonanza (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laertes (11-2) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
