tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, headway before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd place close home
tracked leader, left in lead 1st, headed 4th, reminder after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish
led, blundered and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, went 3rd 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, one pace
towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind
in rear, blundered 3rd, headway before 3 out, hit last, kept on same pace, lost 3rd place close home
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
prominent, headway before 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened after last
It's a sure sign that summer is just around the corner as we start to see the return of proven good-ground performers. Satanic Beat, Handiwork, Street Entertainer and Purple 'n Gold probably all fall into that category but King Alfonso and Minella Fiveo have recent winning form to their name, as does DARK DUNE. Tim Easterby's charge completed a double around this time last year and looks on course for a repeat after winning easily at Newcastle last month - he's only 3lb higher. A Boy Named Suzi had Cinders And Ashes behind when fourth in a Listed handicap at Musselburgh and should also figure but War Singer struggles to get his head in front.
Cinders And Ashes 20-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 27l behind Retrieve (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Feb.
Satanic Beat (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Made most, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, just held on, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Sep beating Gold Chain (10-9) by nk, 5 ran.
Handiwork 66-1 (11-0) Led, jumped slow and headed 1st, behind after 3rd, soon tailed off, 13th of 15, 39l behind Guitar Pete (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Dark Dune (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Made all, clear before 2 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb beating Midnight Game (10-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
A Boy Named Suzi 7-2fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden and kept on run-in, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Retrieve (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Feb.
Jebril (FR) 5-4fav (11-11) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along in 4th approaching next, challenged for 3rd run-in, no impression on front pair, 4th of 11, 5l behind Like Sully (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Led until before 1st, tracked leader, led again before last, soon headed and beaten, 7th of 8, 14l behind Starluck (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
War Singer (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, no impression 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 40l behind Heath Hunter (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
King Alfonso 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, closed after 3rd, led 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Communicator (11-2) by 4l, 16 ran.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Held up behind, hampered on outside 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on to chase leaders before last, never on terms, 6th of 13, 8l behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gd in Oct.
Minella Fiveo (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, clear before last, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Buffalo Ballet (11-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
