tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, pressing for 2nd approaching last, no extra flat
took keen hold, tracked winner, led 3rd, soon headed, stayed 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression before last, one pace
made virtually all, clear 6th until driven before 2 out, pulled out more to assert again approaching last, ridden out
held up in 4th, pushed along 6th, ridden after 3 out, edged right and no impression after 2 out
held up in 5th, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along and lost ground on remainder, slow again next, soon well held
Antoella beat MIEREVELD by five lengths at Musselburgh two weeks ago with Baraathen a further two lengths away in fourth. Brian Ellison's charge comes out best at the weights today, however, and can finally get his head in front after a couple of near-misses. Tom Wade is still a maiden on the Flat and over hurdles and doesn't seem to have done much to merit top weight in this while Philip Kirby will probably feel his best chance lies with Antoella with Plus Ultra having been well beaten in all three starts over timber so far.
Tom Wade (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, some headway when not fluent 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 9, 45l behind Lively Fling (11-9) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Antoella (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led 5th, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Miereveld (11-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
Miereveld 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place before 4th, soon reminders, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Antoella (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Baraathen (USA) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, reminder after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 8l behind Antoella (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Plus Ultra (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division on inner, went poor 4th after 4 out, hit 2 out, kept on from last, just held for 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 27l behind Local Hero (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.