tracked winner, challenged 3 out, led narrowly when not fluent next, headed between last 2, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, never on terms, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on, not quite pace to get on terms
tracked leaders, driven and lost place turning in, weakened 3 out
mid-division, hit 5 out and again next, weakened before 3 out
held up behind, headway on outside before 3 out, close up when hit next, soon ridden, blundered last, not recover and weakened flat
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out, not fluent next, soon ridden and one pace, kept on, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, no impression next, weakened last
led, hard pressed 3 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly next, regained lead between last 2, held on under pressure flat
in touch, ridden and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
NonRunner
Reelingintheyears returns from a lay-off but has been lightly-raced and his stable is going really well at present. Espoir De Teillee has an even longer absence to overcome while Sir Ivan is a risky proposition nowadays but Trans Express is a standing dish here and Choix Des Armes will have needed last month’s run at Chepstow. Esprit De Somoza won over a similar trip at Taunton and should be in the firing-line again, despite a 5lb rise, but the vote goes to CHAMPAGNE CHAMP. Rod Millman’s charge has been dropped another 2lb since his latest fourth at Wincanton and looks the pick of the weights.
Espoir De Teillee (FR) 4-6fav (10-12) Led, headed after 3rd, led before 4th, clear before 6th, very easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov beating Jack Devine (10-12) by 16l, 8 ran.
Sir Ivan 12-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, mistake 14th, weakened before 16th, tailed off when blundered next and pulled up, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Esprit De Somoza (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, pressed flat, held on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Thistle Do Nicely (11-12) by nk, 6 ran.
And The New (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway on inside before 3 out, weakened tamely approaching next, 9th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Erick Le Rouge (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Champagne Champ 11-2 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway before 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Kings Ryde (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Massini Man 12-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 5th, in 6th place when pulled up quickly before 3 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Ebony Gale 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened quickly 2 out, 9th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Crooks Peak (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Choix Des Armes (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 11, 32 1/4l behind Highest Sun (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Silverhow (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led until 2nd, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, lost place 9th, rallied 12th, struggling 4 out, well beaten 5th from next, jumped right and mistake 2 out, 5th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Overland Flyer (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Trans Express (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Printing Dollars (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Vards 12-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 3 out, weakened before mistake last, 5th of 13, 28 1/4l behind Kings Ryde (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Reelingintheyears (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 6th, 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden, 4th and weakening last, 4th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Jammin Masters (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
