behind, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well, never able to challenge
led until 4 out, soon rallied and led again next, headed 2 out, weakened before last
slowly away, soon tracking leaders, hit 5th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, rallied and every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure
in touch, headway 5 out, weakened next
always behind, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, blundered when led next, ridden clear last, ran on well
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
William Hogarth won off a 22lb higher mark over course and distance 18 months ago and showed a glimmer of his old form when third over 2m4f here 12 days ago. He could go close if that signified an imminent return to form. Qualviro has only been raised 3lb for a narrow win at Ludlow and should confirm that form with fourth Black Is Beautiful while Bamboleo was only beaten a head at Plumpton earlier this month, though has already flattered to deceive this season. STONY ROAD is a lot less exposed than most of these and, appearing in his first handicap, could be worth an interest after his third in a better contest at Taunton.
Zama Zama 25-1 (11-1) Held up in touch on outside, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Shammick Boy (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Qualviro (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 6th, challenged before 3 out, led approaching next, jumped left last, strongly pressed flat, held on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating The Fox's Decree (10-7) by hd, 9 ran.
Bamboleo (IRE) 15-8fav (11-11) Disputed lead until led 4th, clear next, reduced lead approaching 2 out, ridden and hung right approaching last, headed narrowly last, stayed on gamely, 2nd of 7, hd behind The Red Laird (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Black Is Beautiful (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, switched right approaching last, soon outpaced, 4th of 9, 7l behind Qualviro (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Stony Road (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Chased leading pair, lost place and dropped to last pair at 5th, rallied to modest 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Highland Retreat (10-11) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Mongress Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid div best, 7th 1/2way & wknd up 6out, to last when pu bef 5out, in a race won by Lanespark (11-4) at Avaune 3m ire ptp sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Pension Plan 10-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 10, 36l behind Tullyraine (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
William Hogarth 20-1 (9-10) Led, headed 3 out, hit next, rallied from last, kept on and just held for 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Scoter Fontaine (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
