close up, ridden and headway 4 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last
towards rear, slow 4th, reminders 8th, never on terms
with winner, led 3rd, headed 12th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
in rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner 2 out until approaching last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, ridden and headway 4 out, challenging for 2nd when unseated 3 out
in rear, hit 4th, headway 6th, tracked leader next, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
in touch, mistake 9th, weakened after 11th, pulled up 4 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 12th, ridden out
close up, lost place and ridden 6th, tailed off
in rear, behind 9th, pulled up 4 out
in touch, lost place 5th, soon in rear, behind 9th, pulled up 12th
Man Of Principles has rather lost his way lately while Stratford winner Phoenix Des Mottes is probably back in the handicapper's grip. Zepnove was still tailed off, despite finishing second at Plumpton last month, and Springfield Raki has struggled since winning over 3m1f here in December, though continues to tumble down the weights. He was, however, well behind FAREWELLATMIDNIGHT over C&D last month and there seems no reason why Alex Hales' progressive six-year-old can't follow up that ultimately comfortable victory today.
Springfield Raki 15-2 (9-11) In rear, headway before 5 out, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Ballyoliver (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Silent Rage (USA) 12-1 (11-0) Wl bhnd 14, 5th of 6, 34l behind Description (11-0) at Penshurst 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Man Of Principles (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Led, mistake 6th, not fluent 8th, not fluent and headed 2 out, slipped up soon after, in a race won by Tipsy Dara (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr, 10 ran.
Cherokee Star 8-1 (11-5) Led 2nd, headed 6th, led next, headed 4 out, weakened well before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Pistolet Noir (11-5) at Towcester 2m hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Farewellatmidnight 13-2 (10-0) Keen tracked leader, led 11th, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Apr beating Ballyoliver (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (tt) lft in ld 2-14; wknd 3 out, 4th of 9, 24l behind Bach To The Wall (12-0) at Fakenham Points 3m ptp gs in Apr.
The Black Lion (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, driven along in 4th place 12th, ridden and struggling when left modest 3rd 3 out, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Majic Moments (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct '09.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 7-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened 10th, modest 4th, 4th of 6, 37l behind Noble Legend (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Apr.
Zepnove (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Chased leader, hit 5th, lost 2nd before 10th, soon no chance with leading duo, struggling 3 out, left poor 2nd last, 2nd of 6, well behind Beau Colonel (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Held up, headway 4th, weakened 10th, behind 12th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Newton Tonic (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 66-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, lost place and towards rear 7th, behind 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Epee Celeste (11-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
