chased leading pair, pushed along after 8th, struggling in 4th after next, tailed off
raced wide, held up in rear but in touch, headway tracking leaders 4 out, went 2nd after 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden and closed next, challenged and every chance when hit last, chased winner until one pace into 3rd final 100 yards
chased leader, led after 4 out, clear before next, reduced lead and hit 2 out, strongly pressed last, ridden flat, no extra and headed final 50 yards
led until after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
held up tracking leaders, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, chased leading pair before next, driven and stayed on approaching last, ran on under pressure between horses to lead final 50 yards
held up tracking leaders, dropped to last pair 6th, went left and struggling 7th, tailing off when went badly left 4 out, soon pulled up
Viking Blond got taken off his feet over a shorter trip at Stratford last time and should be happier here. But this is his first run for a new yard and he can be a tricky customer. Maller Tree has only beaten one home in recent completed starts and appears to be going backwards while Gap Of Dunloe hasn't raced since finishing tailed off over course and distance in October. EXTREME IMPACT has lost his way since winning a handicap at Haydock on his reappearance but this is a massive drop in class and he's fancied to get back on track.
Extreme Impact 13-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along from 2nd, reminders 6th, soon struggling in rear, finish in own time, last of 6, 46l behind Alpha Victor (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Gap Of Dunloe (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Sinbad The Sailor (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Maller Tree 5-2 (11-12) Led, headed after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 3rd of 4, 31l behind Lamps (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Paddy The Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place before 6th, pulled up after next, in a race won by Minella On Line (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Viking Blond (FR) 9-4 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, driven when mistake and dropped to mid-division next, always under pressure and no danger after, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 12, 31l behind Bob's Legend (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gs in Mar.
What An Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, went left 1st, lost 2nd before 4th, chased leading pair until next, weakened rapidly soon after, in rear and struggling 6th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Westaway (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Mar.
