prominent, led 7th to 4 out, one pace
in touch, effort approaching 4 out, edged right and one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, led 4 out, stayed on well
in touch, weakened 9th, pulled up before next
held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, until ridden and one pace last
held up, effort approaching 4 out, outpaced
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
always behind
led to 7th, remained close up, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied 3 out, one pace
held up, outpaced 5 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out
Mongorno is less exposed than most of these at the age of five and after just four runs for Ferdy Murphy but he would need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge and preference is for Sparkling Taff, with Chopneyev rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has been running consistently well of late, latterly when finding just Lysander too good at Bangor last month and Sue Smith's gelding would not be winning out of turn here. Len Lungo's Brandy Wine was good value for his Ayr win in February but disappointed at the same venue the following month and is probably best watched at present. Astyanax ran better at Kelso last time but would need to improve back in a handicap today and of more interest may be the more consistent Chopneyev. Sparkling Taff has plenty going for him though and he is preferred.
Chopneyev (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Led, mistake 4th, headed 12th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, mistake last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Herecomestanley (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Brandy Wine (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Jimmy Bond (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Sparkling Taff 5-2fav (10-3) Tracked leader, led 9th, headed briefly after 3 out, ridden and headed when mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Lysander (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Lofty Leader (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Soon behind, blundered 6th, reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Endless Power (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Mongorno (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 10th, soon weakened and behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mr Multifix (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar, 10 ran.
Sands Rising 18-1 (11-1) Steadied start and held up in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 4th of 9, 7l behind Ryminster (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Sweet Memories (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, blundered 7th, ridden next, never on terms, 11th of 12, 37l behind Loch Oscaig (11-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Astyanax (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced halfway, no chance after, 2nd of 7, 31l behind Open de L'Isle (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Kyalami (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders 8th, weakened 12th, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by River Dante (12-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr '06, 11 ran.
Posh Stick 14-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, soon detached in rear and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Ballynure (9-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Roschal (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led, headed 11th, soon outpaced, jumped right from 4 out, weakened, lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd of 13, 46l behind Ballynure (9-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
