chased leader and pulled early, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, hung left from approaching last, hard ridden flat, headed close home
held up, headway on bit approaching 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, pushed out to lead close home comfortably
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
led, ridden after 4th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
Withdrawn
Music Celebre has run with a degree of credit in two similar races lately and he gets the nod ahead of Benayoun and Directa's Digger. Sean Curran's gelding is certainly no great shakes on the flat but at least he does know how to win. Stamina is not assured (especially at this track) having won over a mile on the flat but he looks the best of this poor bunch and a repeat of his recent run at Catterick would probably be enough to secure victory. Benayoun may be improved by the switch to hurdles but he will need to be as he has previously shown little in nine starts on the level, whilst Esteem drops in class. He ran well in second on his second start over hurdles at Stratford but that was on quick ground, so today's going may be a bit of a guessing game. Whilst he would murder these on the flat, he needs to prove himself over timber. Directa's Digger doesn't seem to have really faced the visor but connections persevere today, whilst Silent City represents Jimmy Frost who has won this race for the past two years and he needs a market check. Perseverance completes the field but after a series of woeful efforts, only the truly hardy will have stuck with him, despite the application of the cheek-pieces today. A woeful start, with Music Celebre given the nod.
Esteem 25-1 (11-1) Held up, took keen hold, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 18l behind Your Amount (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Music Celebre (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 8l behind Kingsbury (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Perseverance (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until lost place quickly 6th, tailed off and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Flying Falcon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Benayoun 11-1 (8-10) Prominent, led approaching 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Ming Vase (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f sll (6) fbs (Flat).
Directa's Digger (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Councillor Jack (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (4) gs.
Silent City 12-1 (10-5) Towards rear, effort 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, 27l behind Sninfia (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
