raced wide in close 3rd, tracked leader 1st, led briefly after 4 out, lost 2nd before weakened 3 out
led, headed briefly after 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd approaching next, weakened between last two
tracked leader until 1st, chased leaders, mistake and lost place next, behind, brief rally 4 out, weakened and mistake next
held up in 5th, headway into 3rd at 4th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, driven and no chance with winner between last two
tracked leaders, 2nd going well before 3 out, led before next, went clear between last two, stayed on well
NonRunner
NonRunner
VALENTINO DANCER has been waiting for this ground having won on the Flat and over hurdles last summer. Headed in the final strides in a Class 2 handicap here in October, he'll make a bold bid on his reappearance. Reserve Tank generally races at a higher level though over further while Marine One, who completed a hat-trick last summer, ran poorly at Aintree a fortnight ago. Orchard Grove completed a four-timer on good ground over this trip last year before finding 2m3f beyond him at Hereford in December. Natty Night has struggled in handicaps after landing a Taunton maiden and the four-year-old Kotmask has done better on softer ground. Another youngster, Irish Hill, a dual winner on the Flat in France, hasn't made the expected progress from his opening victory at Taunton.
Valentino Dancer 8-1 (10-4) In rear, effort and headway after 3 out, went third 2 out, going best approaching final flight, led last, soon ridden, kept on well but headed line, 2nd of 9, hd behind Masters Legacy (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Reserve Tank (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Early reminder, chased leader, led 2nd, pushed along and headed 2 out, plugged on, no impression when weakened and lost modest 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Dorking Boy (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Marine One 80-1 (10-11) Prominent, landed awkwardly 4th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 16, dist behind Hacker Des Places (11-2) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Orchard Grove (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) In touch, dropped to rear 3 out, 7th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Flashing Glance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Irish Hill (GER) 13-8fav (10-0) Led, headed 4th, pushed along in 3rd over 2 out, outpaced by leaders before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Mark Of Gold (10-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Kotmask (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, ran on one pace, 7th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Krypton Gold (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp fll (2) gd in Mar.
Natty Night 7-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, took keen hold, lost a bit of ground 4th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 15 1/4l behind Petty Cash (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
