held up towards rear, moderate 6th and switched right 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden in close 3rd 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leader in moderate 2nd, ridden in moderate 2nd entering straight, 4th 2f out, soon no impression on leaders
chased leaders, moderate 5th 3f out, ridden 2f out, went closer 2nd over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, pushed along in moderate 7th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression on leaders
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden entering straight, weakened
rear of mid-division, took keen hold, headway into 5th at halfway, moderate 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led and soon clear, reduced advantage and ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened quickly
Alhajjaj won this a year ago under Danny Sheehy but is a long way out of the handicap this time. Blackstone Cliff went up 6lb for scoring over track and trip and was put in his place by Spelga on a return visit last week. The winner had been racing over further BUT won decisively in a first-time visor. TARTLETTE has won half of her six starts around here and was impressive when beating three rivals, including subsequent easy winner Grandmaster Flash, a fortnight ago. The latter's yard is represented by Tower Of Pisa, a very easy winner of a course and distance maiden before looking one-paced over 1m4f next time. Longclaw completed a hat-trick over hurdles for Gordon Elliott but moved yards last summer but has never raced on the all-weather.
Tartlette 2-1jfav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway on outer 2f out, pushed along and edged right to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Feb beating Bold Approach (9-7) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Tower Of Pisa (FR) 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, soon 5th, 6th approaching straight, soon some headway on inner, pushed along from 2f out, one pace 1f out, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind The Mouse Doctor (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Spelga 5-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb beating Blackstone Cliff (9-12) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Faakhirah (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Whatharm (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Landue 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ran on, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Indigo Lake (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Approach The City (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Mid-division on inner, ran freely, pushed along and some headway between horses under 2f out, 3rd and ridden 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace, no impression close home, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Spelga (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Blackstone Cliff (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Towards rear, 8th 4f out, ridden on outer under 2f out and 6th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 2nd on line, 2nd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Spelga (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Alhajjaj 11-1 (9-6) Disputed, led after 1f, ridden and pressed over 2f out, joined 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Storm Elza (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Longclaw (USA) 16-5 (10-12) Chased leaders, not always fluent, no impression before 3 out, kept on flat, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Duffle Coat (10-12) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
