towards rear, hampered 4 out, went moderate 4th 3 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, reminders 4th, headway next, ridden before 7th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 6th, went 3rd 7th, soon outpaced
keen, led after 1st, ridden and headed 2 out, soon outpaced by winner
led, not fluent 1st and headed soon after, pushed along 6th, blundered 8th, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders, chased leader 7th, led 2 out, clear when hit last, heavily eased flat
always in rear
LILAC, Treasure Islands and Titfer could be amongst those fighting out the finish and we'll take Evan Williams' runner to prevail. The Welsh handler has scored with six of his twenty three runners at this venue and his journey should be made worthwhile on this occasion as his mare should take all the beating. Lilac has a few pounds in hand on official ratings and, crucially, knows how to win as her record of four successes in forty starts testifies. She ran well on her return from a lengthy absence and is entitled to improve for the outing. Treasure Islands failed to score on the level but did enough when third to a stablemate of the selection on her hurdling bow to think that she can win over obstacles. However, she will need to settle better than she did on that occasion if she's to progress. It's difficult to enthuse about the remainder who are all much of a muchness; Titfer did win a selling hurdle at Doncaster for Tony Carroll in December and may respond to the fitting of blinkers. Even if he does, it's difficult to envisage him getting the better of Lilac.
Art Gallery 5-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 12, 18l behind Upright Ima (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Path To Glory 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after next, weakening when blundered 2 out, 9th of 12, well behind Alfie Sherrin (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Arthurian (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Towards rear, headway into mid-division before 5th, reminders and dropped to rear 8th, struggling 4 out, 5th of 11, 33l behind Indefensible (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Titfer (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, soon lost place, behind when not fluent 5th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Villochely (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Bellassini 20-1 (11-6) Well in rear, lost touch on long run to 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Wondersobright (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Lilac 4-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, in 5th and beaten when blundered last, 5th of 16, 15l behind Peaceful Means (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (4yo+) (4) gd in Mar.
Treasure Islands (IRE) 100-1 (9-10) Held up well in rear, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd briefly flat, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Nordwind (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gs in Mar.
