with leader, led before 5f out, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden over 6f out, tailed off over 4f out
tracked leaders in 4th, lost place over 4f out
mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 3f out
in touch, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on and lost 2nd towards finish
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, led 1f out, kept on well
held up mid-division, ridden over 7f out, weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Elgin is a possible improver but trainer Alan King is struggling for winners at present. Desert Retreat was well beaten when odds-on at Chepstow last month, finishing behind Instingtive, and is starting to look exposed but there possibilities former pointers River Wylde and Arctic Destination. ASUM is by proven NH sire Kayf Tara and the first foal to race out of a mare who won a Listed bumper at Aintree and also scored twice over hurdles – it will be disappointing if Dan Skelton's five-year-old doesn't make the grade. The Oscar gelding Quietly, who runs in the famous Hemmings colours, and the jumps-bred Egypt Mill Rebel are other newcomers who catch the eye.
Arctic Destination (IRE) 5-2 (12-1) Ld/disp on outer & jw, ld frm 5out & 3l adv aftr 3out, 4l adv gng best 2out, sow, won at Ballyvodock 3m mdn sft in Jan beating No Secrets Here (12-1) by 8l, 5 ran.
Derrick D'Anjou (IRE) Double Eclipse gelding out of Belle D'anjou.
Desert Retreat (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced 5f out, soon lost place and behind, stayed on under pressure to take 4th inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Pride Of Lecale (11-3) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Egypt Mill Rebel Cockney Rebel gelding out of Beauchamp Jade.
Last To Leave 10-1 (11-7) With leader, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Happy Hollow (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Newtown Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid div, 5th at 8th, mstk 5out, cl 2nd frm 4out, ld 2out & went 8l clr bef last, sow, impressive, won at Boulta 3m mdn sft in Nov beating Fortune Bound (11-10) by 20l, 11 ran.
Quietly (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Gimme Peace.
River Wylde (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Ww rr of mid-div, 9th 1/2way, gd prog to 2nd bef 2out, eff to chall bef last, ko bt nt rch wnr, 2nd of 14, nk behind Monbeg Aquadude (11-10) at Rockfield 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Elgin 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, chased leaders under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Happy Hollow (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Fieldsofsilk (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Silk Style.
Moon Jet (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Snow Leopardess (10-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
Nicholas T Rail Link gelding out of Thorntoun Piccolo.
Asum Kayf Tara gelding out of Candy Creek.
Instingtive (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Led, hung right paddock bend, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, stayed on to chase clear and easy winner inside final 2f, lost modest 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 14 1/4l behind Pride Of Lecale (11-3) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Gulshanigans Sakhee colt out of Gulshan.
