towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression
held up mid-division, went 3rd before 3 out to chase leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 7th, weakened before 2 out
always behind
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led 7th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace
towards rear, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until before last, one pace
NonRunner
NICEANDEASY didn’t get beyond the second flight when defending an unbeaten record on his handicap debut at Ayr nine days ago. But he did start favourite that day and a quick reappearance suggests connections feel he can recoup losses. Crackdeloust only beat one home when last tried over this sort of trip and prefers a quicker surface but Pokora Du Lys is interesting as he just found 3m2f too far when third here last month. Danceintothelight is bidding for a third course win but has not been successful off a mark this high and is the senior runner. Romulus Du Donjon turned in a shocker at Musselburgh while Minstrel Royal continues on the downgrade.
Niceandeasy (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Crackdeloust (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 4th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Castafiore (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Minstrel Royal 6-1 (11-4) Led to 4 out, led again 3 out, pressed from 2 out, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Cliffside Park (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) sft in Dec.
Danceintothelight 14-1 (11-8) Led, headed and mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Octagon (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Iolani (GER) 28-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Octagon (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Pokora Du Lys (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 5th, clear from 5 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 15 3/4l behind Buckle Street (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Romulus Du Donjon (IRE) 3-1fav (10-7) In touch in mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 5th, not fluent 7th, soon behind, 7th of 8, dist behind Buckled (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Astaroland (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Asum (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Coroberee (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Good Time Ahead (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.