in touch, driven and some headway after 7th, no further impression from 3 out, left 3rd at last
led until 2 out, kept on same pace, left 2nd at the last
held up, headway 6th, ridden after next, soon beaten
held up, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden when left clear last
chased leader, led 2 out, slight advantage when fell last
Nonrunner
Flotta can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Island Stream, Wiscalitus and Goldbrook. Timmy Murphy has ridden Flotta to each of his last two victories over hurdles, at Fontwell and Wetherby last October, but with Martin Pipe running Fontanesi, he does not get the chance to keep up the partnership. Brendan Powell's charge has though had a recent spin on the Flat at Lingfield to tune him up for this, and he will not have to be one-hundred per cent ready to go in again before embarking on a chasing career, which we understand is the plan. Island Stream found conditions against him when last of 11 at Wincanton in January, but is better than that and should give a good account, while Wiscalitus has not had a great deal of racing over the past 12 months and is another that has more to offer than we have seen. Goldbrook has taken on good company in his time but has gone off the boil of late, and so, despite his absence, the call just has to be Flotta.
Fontanesi (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Always behind, no chance when hit 2 out, 20th of 29, 18l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Flotta 4-7fav (11-4) Made all, driven 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gf in Oct beating Love That Benny (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Goldbrook 11-1 (11-5) Always behind, 13th of 15, 23l behind McBain (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Island Stream (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, last of 11, 38l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
No Way Back (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Raced on wide outside in rear, taken to inside approaching 3 out, kept on steadily, never near leaders, 7th of 18, 45l behind Midas Way (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Legally Fast (USA) 11-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden 3rd and soon lost touch pulled up 3 out in race won by Picot de Say (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 4yo hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Wiscalitus (GER) 14-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, 9th of 14, 22l behind Prairie Moonlight (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jan.
