led, headed after 1st, led again after 4th, ridden and headed by winner after 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, dropped to last and soon struggling, tailed off
raced wide, towards rear, never dangerous
midfield, tracked leaders 3rd, headway and disputed lead after 3 out, soon led and went clear, readily
held up behind leaders, lost ground after 6th, rallied and kept on well from 2 out, stayed on and went third close home, not pace to challenge
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
midfield, ridden and kept on before 2 out, went third after 2 out, stayed on but no impression close home
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened approaching last
close up, led after 1st, headed after 4th, lost ground quickly from 3 out, tailed off
raced in last, headway on outer before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on approaching last, nearest finish
towards rear, ridden before 6th, still plenty to do before 2 out, kept on well approaching last, never dangerous
Shantung got her head back in front here in January and is only 4lb higher. Timeforaspin may do better in cheekpieces dropping further down the handicap but ROWLAND WARD (NAP) can land the day’s feature under top weight. He is best on sharp tracks like this and has had wind surgery since his third at Warwick when 2lb higher. Sarasota Star was in good form prior to his run at Cheltenham in December and Floating Rock will appreciate a return to hurdling having had a couple of runs on the all-weather this year. A winner here in November, Can't Stop Now had just been headed when falling at Taunton next time but, like Dave And Bernie, may have benefited from a break.
Rowland Ward 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 14 3/4l behind Miss Heritage (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Playa Blanca (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along and plenty to do 3 out, ridden 2 out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 25 1/4l behind The Shunter (10-11) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Dave And Bernie (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 33 1/4l behind Calva D'Auge (12-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Xcitations 11-4jfav (11-12) Chased leaders, nudged along before 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, made no impression, 7th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Nightboattoclyro (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Floating Rock (GER) 8-1 (10-0) Dwelt pushed along in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Mr Excellency (9-3) at Southwell 1m stks (5) pol in Mar.
Glan Y Gors (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Wise Eagle (9-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Sarasota Star (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, driven and lost place approaching last, 11th of 16, 26 1/4l behind Breffniboy (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Timeforaspin 15-2 (11-12) Not always fluent, led, headed 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Fugitif (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Can't Stop Now (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Built up a wide unchallenged lead early stages, shaken up when lead diminished approaching 2 out, rallied gamely and ridden when pressed 2 out, every chance when fell last, at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Shantung (IRE) 6-4 (11-4) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Yauthym (11-9) by 6l, 4 ran.
If Karl's Berg Did 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden along and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up 2 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
