took keen hold in mid-division, steady headway on long run before 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened next
chased leader, hit 3rd, lost 2nd before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, left modest 5th and hampered last
patiently ridden and held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, 3rd 3 out, 2nd before next, led last, soon clear, comfortably
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened 4th, tailed off when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up
held up in mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders on long run before 3 out, led 3 out, mistake next, ridden and headed when hit last, one pace run-in
last pair, never on terms, plugged on
held up towards rear, tailed off 4th, left modest 4th and slightly hampered last, plugged on
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
held up towards rear, went left 1st, steady headway on long run before 3 out, ridden in 3rd and one pace before the last
led, clear 4th until before 3 out, headed approaching 3 out, chased leaders, 4th and weakening when fell heavily last
A low-key finale which won’t take much winning. Goonjim, Tobacco Road and Chance Taken all started favourite last time and connections may be keen to recoup losses. The latter fared best and has been placed in three of his four starts this campaign. Baccalaureate would have a great chance on past form but isn’t getting any younger. Daytime Ahead showed enough at Lingfield last month to suggest he could figure in a race like this but CHARLIE PARKER is also tumbling down the weights and the four-year-old would have finished closer at Towcester last time had his jumping not let him down in the closing stages.
Tobacco Road (IRE) 4-1jfav (12-0) Chased leader, led after 4th until ridden and headed before 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened into 4th before the last, 4th of 17, 11 3/4l behind Goal (11-10) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Chance Taken 5-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden to challenge next, left in 3rd after last, never a threat, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Alys Rock (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Richardofdoccombe (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Led, headed before 4 out, soon lost place, 6th of 13, 25 3/4l behind Zara Hope (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Georgieshore (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Transient Bay (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Baccalaureate (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led approaching and bumped 5th, pushed along before 3 out, joined and carried left before next, headed 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd before the last, weakened last, 4th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Abbeygrey (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Old Magic (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, headed before normal 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Aza Run (11-2) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Blue April (FR) 16-1 (11-2) With winner, ridden after 3 out, lost place approaching next, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Sparkling River (11-13) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Daytime Ahead (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 4 out, pushed along after next, ridden and weakened on long run before 2 out, 6th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Good Man Hughie (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Touch Screen (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 16, dist behind Bandon Roc (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Charlie Parker (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, in 6th and weakened last, 5th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Present Times (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Etheridge Annie 16-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden after 4th, well behind 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Upton Wood (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in May.
Goonjim (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, left close 2nd bypassing 3 out, led narrowly on long run before 2 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened before the last, plugged on run-in, 3rd of 10, 11 1/4l behind Highland Life (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
