led, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, soon led, joined 2 out, hung left before last, stayed on, held on well
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, well beaten 3 out
in rear, reminder after 4th, losing touch before 6th, well behind after 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway before 5th, 3rd when not fluent 3 out, no extra in 4th next
mid-division, well in touch 6th, not fluent 4 out, 2nd before 3 out, strong challenge 2 out, every chance flat, just held
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, 3rd before 2 out, close up 2 out, held final 50 yards
Nonrunner
Phobiaphiliac is back on a more suitable surface but probably high enough in the weights. Forza Milan was raised 8lb for winning a maiden at Chepstow but remains unexposed compared to some. Cool Sky was only raised 3lb for winning at Fontwell and his yard remains in cracking form so he’s a threat to all but course and distance winner Alf 'n' Dor couldn’t cope with 5lb extra last time. COUNT MERIBEL (NAP) has yet to win but has produced several decent efforts in defeat and it’s significant that he takes his chance in this having also had entries in novice events over the weekend.
Phobiaphiliac (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, led 1st, clear before next until approaching 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before the last, 5th of 10, 6l behind Simply A Legend (10-5) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Here's Herbie 33-1 (10-13) Chased leadedrs, led 4 out until after next, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 16, 19 1/2l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Maxanisi (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 7th, close up when fell 13th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Never Equalled (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Count Meribel 5-6fav (11-1) Chased leaders, jumped left and went 2nd from 4th, ridden after 3 out, no impression before next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Grand Turina (10-8) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Cool Sky 2-1fav (10-7) Held up in 4th place, went 3rd 6th until pushed along after 3 out, rallied chasing leaders approaching the last, ran on under pressure towards far side run-in, led towards finish, soon clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Applesandpierres (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Forza Milan (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 5th, 2nd when not much room 2 out, led before last, ran green, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb beating Rock My Style (11-3) by 3 1/4l, 16 ran.
