always towards rear
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
led and soon clear, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway until every chance 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, not much room over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression
behind, ridden over 4f out, headway from over 3f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway over 4f out to track leaders, every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
always behind
mid-division, headway from halfway, chased leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Charlotte Vale went close last time and can go one better here at the expense of Estrelle, with Rule For Ever and Incursion others in with a shout. At first glance this looks like a typical large-field competitive handicap, but for us the one that stands out is Charlotte Vale. Micky Hammond's five-year-old gained her last victory over hurdles at Sedgefield in November, and since returning to the level has run two sound races in defeat, including when second to Greenwich Meantime at Thirsk last month. The step up in trip will be very much in her favour, and the daughter of Pivotal looks all set to open her account for the season. Henry Cecil is not the force he once was, but it is still folly to dismiss his inmates out of hand, so Estrelle is put up as a danger, with the drop back in trip to help after a fair effort behind Trance at Newbury the other week. Rule For Ever has a chance with the selection on a line through Greenwich Meantime, having finished just half-a-length behind Richard Fahey's charge at Ripon last August, while Incursion will improve for his Haydock return on what was his first outing for Dandy Nicholls. There are plenty in with place claims at least, but Charlotte Vale is the one to beat.
Incursion 33-1 (9-7) held up, headway over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Saif Sareea (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
John Forbes 8-1 (9-2) Led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 12l behind Reluctant Suitor (8-3) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Charlotte Vale 9-2fav (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (5) gd in Apr.
Tilt 11-1 (8-13) Held up, headway when not much room 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 15, 11l behind Maneki Neko (8-7) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Estrelle (GER) 14-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in touch, ridden 4f out, no headway 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 9l behind Trance (9-8) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Rule For Ever 13-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 25l behind Reluctant Suitor (8-3) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
First Look (FR) 16-1 (9-3) Always behind, 6th of 7, 15l behind Kylkenny (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (5) gs in Sept.
Kristensen 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven over 2f out, one pace and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Villago (9-1) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.