tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged and every chance when mistake next, soon ridden, one pace when mistake again last, no impression in 3rd closing stages
made most to 5 out, soon ridden, lost place 3 out, no impression next, kept on under pressure flat
held up in touch, reminder after 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th before 3 out, rallied last, stayed on under pressure flat, led final strides
behind, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up behind in touch, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
disputed lead virtually throughout, led 5 out, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths clear after last, kept on until no extra and headed final strides
held up in touch, mistake 8th, soon pushed along, behind final circuit, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
chased leaders, reminder after 10th, outpaced 5 out, no impression before 3 out, ridden and kept on flat, not reach leaders
Nonrunner
Venetian Lad recorded course victory number seven here at the start of the month but this looks tougher as the grey has never won off a mark this high. Despite top weight, Somchine is not out of this but Roberto Pegasus is best watched until showing signs of a revival. Mercian King appears to have gone off the boil but Agincourt Reef and Butlergrove King are running well and should be thereabouts again. MERCERS COURT had little to beat at Huntingdon but completed the job with a minimum of fuss. He's always looked like a chaser in the making and this will be just his third start over fences so there is probably more to come.
Somchine 14-1 (11-3) Held up, steady headway 10th, went modest 3rd and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Go Conquer (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Brody Bleu (FR) 25-1 (11-5) In rear, not fluent 5th, pushed along before 7th, blundered badly next, behind 9th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Roberto Pegasus (USA) 25-1 (11-5) Held up midfield, headway before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 11, 29l behind Ericht (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Mercers Court (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Tracked rival pair, headway to join leader on inside 8th, led 13th, drew clear on bit after 3 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Huntingdon 3m (4) sft in Mar beating Troika Steppes (11-10) by 37l, 3 ran.
Agincourt Reef (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Sportsreport (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Mercian King (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, remained close up until reminders from before 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, dist behind Beggars Cross (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Butlergrove King (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Led until before 4th, led after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 7l behind What Larks (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Venetian Lad 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before left in 2nd at 11th until approaching 4 out, chased leading pair and pushed along, soon ridden, rallied and stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr beating Arquebusier (11-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
Rocknrobin (IRE) 7-4 (11-13) Led until 3rd, not fluent 10th, every chance 3 out, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before last, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 8-13fav (10-7) Keen, chased leader, hit 2nd and 4th, challenged 4 out, led approaching next, ridden and clear last, idled badly run-in and headed towards finish, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind An Poc Ar Buile (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
