mid-division until weakened after 6th
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakening when mistake 2 out
with leader, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division ridden after 7th, weakened quickly, behind when mistake 3 out
in touch to approaching 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 7th, one pace flat
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden and every chance last, chased winner flat, stayed on
behind, ridden with headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, hung left and left in lead 2 out, headed and no extra flat
in touch, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
behind, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed when slightly hampered 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, led flat, ran on well
mid-division never nearer
always towards rear
behind, not fluent 6th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and headway 2 out, one pace flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, slight lead when fell 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on well flat, never nearer
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, one pace flat
jumped slowly 1st, soon towards rear
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
always towards rear
led, headed and not fluent 7th, weakened quickly
held up, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
mid-division ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, no chance when mistake and unseated rider last
Nonrunner
It is unfortunate that Martin Pipe's Imperial Cup winner Medison failed to get into the race, falling just two withdrawals short, however the Nicolashayne maestro still holds strong claims with four entries. The pick of this quartet should be top weight Lough Derg, however we expect Distant Prospect to land first prize, with Kasthari, Supreme Serenade and Fountain Hill all capable of going close. The selection was successful in the Gerry Fieldon at Newbury, just doing enough to beat Albuhera by half a length. That was his first outing since finishing runner up to the smart Carte Diamond at Doncaster in November. He is open to any amount of improvement and looks the pick of today's weights. Supreme Serenade and Fountain Hill met at Sandown in February, with the first named coming out on top by just a neck. At the weights today there will be very little between them again but Fountain Hill is just preferred on this occasion. Kasthari hails from the in form Howard Johnson yard, and he bounced back to winning ways in great style last time. He stayed on really well to beat Lord Of Beauty by fifteen lengths, he could get into the places at a decent price. Unleash could also get into the action if fit for his seasonal debut, but Distant Prospect has so much scope for improvement he has to be the choice.
Lough Derg (FR) 33-1 Tracked leader, renewed effort to chase winner 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 16l behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Ansar (IRE) 10-1 Led, ridden and headed 3 out, 3rd and no extra from next, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Hardy Eustace at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Feb.
Kasthari (IRE) 11-4fav Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, edged left and clear from next, eased near finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan beating Lord Of Beauty by 15l, 13 ran.
Ilnamar (FR) 20-1 Held up in rear, hit 2nd, lost touch 4th, soon tailed off, 10th of 11, 41l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Jack Dawson (IRE) 6-1 Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden and lost place 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 12, 15l behind Alrida at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Jul.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 17-2 Chased leaders, led 2 out until headed last, led again flat until headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Supreme Serenade at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Supreme Serenade (IRE) 13-2 Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led and blundered last, headed flat, kept on under pressure to lead again close home, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb beating Fountain Hill by a nk, 14 ran.
Dancing Bay 5-2fav Mid-division, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 12, 49l behind Alrida at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Jul.
Top Strategy (IRE) 5-4 Close up in 2nd, improved to lead before 2 out, strongly pressed from last, all out, won at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Feb beating Lissbonney Project by a hd, 5 ran.
Tumbling Dice (IRE) 3-1 Attempted to make all, 2l advantage when fell 2 out in race won by Sher Beau at Naas 2m 3f hdl hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Ebinzayd (IRE) 11-8fav Made all, blundered 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, won at Musselburgh 3m nov chs (B) gf in Feb beating Il Cavaliere by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zibeline (IRE) 50-1 Jumped slowly 2nd, always behind, last of 25, well behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Royaleety (FR) 16-1 Behind, headway approaching 11th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 29l behind Whereareyounow at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Idole First (IRE) 20-1 Chased leader, ridden and every chance 4 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, no extra, 6th of 25, 7l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Mythical King (IRE) 14-1 Held up, weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 25l behind The Bajan Bandit at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) sft in Feb.
Royal Hector (GER) 9-1 Held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 3 out, last of 10, well behind Ambobo at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Spring Pursuit 7-1 Held up, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, pushed clear flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb beating Nick's Choice by 5l, 11 ran.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 3-1fav Led to 3rd, stayed close up, challenged 3 out, led next, joined last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (A) gd in Nov beating Albuhera by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 28-1 Led until approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 13th of 25, 10l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Covent Garden 8-1 Held up in mid-division, effort under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 14, 7l behind Supreme Serenade at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Fairwood Present (IRE) 9-1 Led, slight mistake 5 out, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, soon no extra, dropped to moderate 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Joueur D'Estruval at Clonmel 2m hdl gs.
Omni Cosmo Touch (USA) 4-1 Chased leaders, joined leader 3rd, led approaching 3 out, ridden next, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd beating Ballybough Rasher by 3l, 8 ran.
Red Ruffles (IRE) 13-2 Chased clear winner, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 17, 22l behind Quick at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (B) gd in Dec.
Anatar (IRE) 11-1 Held up in rear, headway on inside from after 3 out, led and hit 2 out, soon in command, drew clear run-in, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb beating Phar Out Phavorite by 11l, 8 ran.
You Owe Me (IRE) 13-2 Chased leader, led after 1st, hit 4th, headed after 5th, not fluent 8th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Blue Business at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
Lilium de Cotte (FR) 20-1 Raced wide, held up in rear, no impression 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Migwell at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
After Eight (GER) 25-1 Held up in mid-division, effort under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 19, 10l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Give Me Love (FR) 9-1 Held up, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Migwell at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Feb.
Mr Fluffy 5-1 Held up and in rear in touch, mistake 4th, led 8th, pressed before 3 out, led before 2 out, hit last, ridden clear flat, won at Kempton 3m beg chs (D) gd in Nov beating Champagne Harry by 6l, 5 ran.
Unleash (USA) 5-1jt-fav Held up, headway 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, hung left approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 23, 3l behind Zibeline at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr.
