towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, led 3 out, joined when left clear next
midfield, lost place 8th, hampered 11th, edged left next, soon pulled up
disputed lead, prominent after 1st, joined leader when fell 2 out
towards rear, chased leaders 7th, fourth when fell 11th
took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, pushed along 10th, soon struggling, hampered 12th, pulled up before 3 out
disputed lead, led after 1st, not fluent and headed 3 out, left second next, plugged on but no match for winner
disputed lead when mistake 1st, soon dropped towards rear, headway into midfield 10th, badly hampered next, left poor third 2 out
disputed lead, chased leaders after 1st, mistake 9th, soon dropped towards rear, pushed along before 11th, tailed off next
Ecume Atlantique won on his UK debut in March but was only fourth racing off today’s mark at Bangor later. Coupdebol won at Warwick in February and was clear when falling at the last at Uttoxeter in March so may have more to offer this season. Ridgeway made a winning start over fences at Kempton but SHELDON did likewise at Stratford when attracting market support and may be the pick of the weights. Highstakesplayer also struck gold at the first attempt here last week but is penalised for that while Venetia Williams’ runners are generally needing an outing and Gemirande hasn’t raced since March.
Highstakesplayer (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Went left 1st, tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd going well approaching 3 out, led home turn, soon clear, very easly, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Midnight Jewel (11-6) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ecume Atlantique (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Prominent, hit 2nd, left in 2nd 4 out, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, plugging on one pace when not fluent last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Cenotice (11-6) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ede'iffs Elton 33-1 (12-0) Towards rear, good headway to go prominent 6th, lost place before 3 out, soon struggling, pulled up before last, at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sheldon (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, left 2nd 2 out, soon led, clear before last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Heltenham (11-8) by 14l, 7 ran.
Ridgeway (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway tracking leader 3 out, led going well 2 out, clear last, ran on well flat, easily, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Coal Stock (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
Gemirande (FR) 7-4 (12-0) Chased leader, led 3rd until 11th, 1 1/2 lengths down last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Ard Chros (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Coupdebol (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake next, went 2nd 5th, not fluent 8th, led 4 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, went 4 lengths ahead when fell last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Fitzroy (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake 5th, lost touch from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
