made all, shaken up after last, easily
jumped slowly in 3rd, effort 2 out, soon under pressure, weakened last
reared start, held up in last, weakening when mistake 4 out, soon tailed off
tracked leader, driven to challenge after 2 out, kept on well under pressure, no chance with easy winner
NonRunner
Cloudy Glen struggled when upped in class off a 12lb higher mark at Ascot last time having landed a double before that. He’ll be more at home in this company and is preferred to Johnbb, who won a maiden hurdle at Ayr but was well beaten on his handicap debut at Sandown. HILL SIXTEEN shares ownership with Cloudy Glen and goes handicapping for the first time after winning a novices' race over track and trip. A chance is taken Sue Smith’s charge shows further improvement and he gets the vote with the remaining trio difficult to recommend.
Cloudy Glen (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Led in start, pressed leader until led 3rd, dived at 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 10, 35 1/2l behind Brio Conti (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Cosheston 12-1 (11-2) Keen tracked leaders, left in 4th 3 out, effort next, soon outpaced, stayed on after last into modest 3rd, never a threat, 3rd of 7, 18 1/2l behind Mint Gold (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb.
Donald Dux (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, struggling 6f out, never a threat, 10th of 12, dist behind Floating Rock (10-7) at Catterick 2m (5) gd in Feb.
Mill Race King (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in 5th place, dropped to last pair and struggling 6th, no chance after but kept on run-in, 5th of 9, 34 3/4l behind Windsor Avenue (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Hill Sixteen 7-2 (11-3) Soon held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, challenged after next, led before last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Vis A Vis (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Johnbb (IRE) 5-2fav (12-1) Chased leaders on inside, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 15 1/2l behind Duarigle (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.