chased leaders on inside, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
steadied rear and took keen hold, headway 6th, close enough on outside when mistake and weakened 4 out, poor 7th when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, hit 4th and ridden along, weakened 8th, tailed off
held up, steady headway 8th, tracked leaders next, went 2nd going well 3 out, led between last 2, hung badly left under pressure and strongly pressed in closing stages, held on (disqualified and placed 2nd)
tracked leader 2nd and raced wide, led 4 out until next, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway chasing leaders 8th, driven in 3rd and one pace from 2 out
bumped 1st, in touch, weakened and behind 6th, tailed off when blundered 8th, pulled up before 2 out
led until 4 out, chased leader, led again 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, chased winner, rallying when carried badly left in closing stages, just held (awarded race)
Beau Bay was well beaten off his new mark at Wincanton after winning at Uttoxeter. Grey Gold weakened quickly at Wetherby once headed and last year’s winner Somchine hasn’t fired this season while Mick Thonic is also out of sorts. Savello has much to prove nowadays but reverting to 2m could help Kempton flop Bishops Court if he’s ridden closer to the pace. Kauto Riko has taken well to fences and could easily complete the hat-trick but has to give 4lb to an equally in-form BURRENBRIDGE HOTEL, who holds Beau Bay on Sedgefield running and can get back to winning ways.
Bishops Court 6-1 (11-12) Keen, held up in 6th, not fluent 9th, struggling when mistake 12th, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Savello (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 5 out, went modest 3rd from 2 out, no chance, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Tornado In Milan (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Grey Gold (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Mercian Prince (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Kauto Riko (FR) 7-4fav (10-11) Held up in touch in rear, raced keenly, switched to outside after 8th, closed next, led 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Space Oddity (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Mick Thonic (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway on outside 7th, hampered 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Somchine 20-1 (10-4) Keen in rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, tailed off, 5th of 6, 29 1/4l behind Gino Trail (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Burrenbridge Hotel (IRE) 9-4 (10-10) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Prairie Town (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Beau Bay (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Led until 6th, took off early and dragged hind legs through fence 7th, 3rd and beaten when mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 5, 15 1/2l behind Sea Wall (10-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
