chased leader, pushed along after 6th, ridden and edging right when lost 2nd before 3 out, chased leaders, hung left before 2 out, weakened soon after
hit 5th, pushed along and struggling after 6th, always towards rear, tailed off
held up and behind, steady headway before 6th, still plenty to do before 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, 3rd when switched left between last 2, led last, came clear run-in
mid-division on inside, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division on outside, pushed along before 5th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway under pressure into 3rd approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no extra in 4th, mistake last
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, weakened soon after 3 out, 6th and beaten when blundered last
held up in mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders before 4th, went 2nd before 3 out until approaching the last, went 2nd again close home, no chance with winner
last pair, pushed along in last and struggling after 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out
led, ridden and hung right before 3 out, mistake and headed last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, hit 2nd, pushed along and weakened before 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake and pushed along 4th, weakened before 3 out, soon behind and eased
Xaarcet started favourite over a shorter trip here last month but found one too good. This is a better race and he's 3lb higher so looks worth opposing again. RUGGED JACK won this last year off a 6lb lower mark and came back to form over course and distance last time when second to Thomas Brown. This is his time of year and, though he can be a tricky ride, the top weight looks the best option again. Rafafie was third at Taunton after winning at Ffos Las and should be thereabouts again while Rock Des Champs has to be of interest on his handicap debut.
Rugged Jack (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) In touch, pushed along before 4th, last and struggling next, headway into 3rd approaching 3 out, 2nd before next, switched sharply left before last and driven, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Thomas Junior (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Ice Konig (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, behind 2nd, pecked 3 out, remote 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 42l behind Risk A Fine (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Flying Light (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leading pair approaching 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance in 3rd after next, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Rascal (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Rafafie 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway from 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, no impression on winner, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Winning Spark (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Max Milano (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 7th, closed from 2 out, led last, driven clear final 100 yards, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Aug '12 beating Dancing Jack (10-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Murcar 16-1 (10-11) Slowly away, held up, headway to chase leaders after 4th, effort before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 30l behind Urcalin (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Kahdian (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, chasing leaders in 4th after 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, every chance 2 out, held last, kept on same pace run-in, clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Hot Pepper (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
Rock Des Champs (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, no chance with winner when 2nd briefly between last 2, one pace, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Bidourey (11-7) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Lamblord (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway and prominent when mistake 6th, lost place after 3 out, 8th of 17, well behind Easy Beesy (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Whipcrackaway (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, dropped to rear and struggling after 4th, no chance after, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Rathealy (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Xaarcet (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden between last two, headed and no extra run-in,, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Its A Long Road (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
Legion D'honneur (UAE) 8-1 (11-3) In touch, lost place 4th, ridden before 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Murrayana (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Haleo 9-1 (10-13) Led to 4th, tracked leader, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakening when pulled up before next, in a race won by Nefyn Bay (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Kayf Charmer 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, driven along and struggling in 7th after 3 out, 6th and well held when mistake last, 6th of 16, 16l behind Hot Pepper (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
