held up, last before 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 7th
prominent until after 1st, chased leaders, lost place after 7th, well behind 3 out
led, not fluent 6th or 7th, headed before last, held by winner flat, kept on
prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, 4th and outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 7th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 7th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 1st, lost place before 3rd, behind 6th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 3rd, went 2nd 5th, bumped before 3 out, mistake 2 out, 3rd and beaten flat
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, outpaced before 3 out, went 4th and plugged on after 2 out, no impression
prominent, hit 5th, mistake next, lost place and hit 3 out, soon weakened
in touch in mdi0division, headway 6th, edged left and bumped rival before 3 out, not much room 2 out and switched left, led before not fluent last, driven out flat
Ptit Zig may do better back over hurdles but Bryony Frost’s mount Connetable looks the best hope for the Nicholls team having proved himself a stayer this season. Coeur Blimey ran a fine race in the Betfair Hurdle two weeks ago but that was over 2m and he has never raced over a trip this far. Book of Gold finished close up put over this trip for the first time at Newbury and is now tried in cheekpieces but is still seeking a first career victory. Poker Play was third at Exeter and could be finding some form but the handicapper seems to have a grip on Eminent Poet and also Carnspindle. SAINTE LADYLIME was never seen with a chance behind La Bague Au Roi in a Grade 2 at Ascot last time but had only been beaten a neck at Ludlow earlier so can record a first win over timber in almost two years.
Ptit Zig (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along before 14th, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Connetable (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent on outside, effort 3 out, one pace next, driven and kept on flat, took 3rd near finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Calett Mad (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sainte Ladylime (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, mistakes 4th and 6th, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 16l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-4) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Eminent Poet 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind King Uther (10-5) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, plugging on when hit last, modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 24, 21 1/2l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Padge (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hit 2nd, slow 5th, soon lost place and in rear, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
This Is It (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led until 2nd, led after 3rd until 5th, led next, mistake 7th, joined 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Rock My Style (11-5) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Feb.
Poker Play (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear on outside, headway before 5th, tracked leaders 4 out, effort after next, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, well held in 3rd from last, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Lovenormoney (11-10) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Salmanazar 16-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, lost place after 4 out, well beaten after 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Taj Badalandabad (10-1) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Book of Gold (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed and stumbled last, stayed on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Talkischeap (11-0) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Carnspindle (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Keen, tracked winner until 3rd, chased leaders, mistake 4 out, hung left in 3rd and no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Naranja (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
