soon led, hit 7th, mistake and headed next, lost 2nd before 3 out, 3rd and well held when fell heavily last
held up off the pace in 6th, pushed along and one pace in 6th before 4 out, left modest 4th and hampered last, took 3rd towards finish
held up off the pace in 5th, headway on inside tracking leaders before 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, kept on strongly
chased leaders, hit 1st, mistake 4 out, pushed along and outpaced before next, left modest 3rd last, weakened into 4th towards finish
in rear, not fluent 5th, pushed along and struggling after 6th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, making headway when hit 7th, left modest 5th when mistake and hampered last
led briefly, chased leaders, weakened quickly after 6th, tailed off 8th, pulled up next
raced keenly, chased leader, hit 3rd, led 8th until 2 out, chased winner, ridden between last 2, one pace from last, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Plaisir D'amour ran in snatches at Newbury last time but finished strongly and was going away at the finish. A 6lb higher mark is not insurmountable and he should again beat Lord Ben but doesn’t look an easy ride. Rock On Rocky was due to run at Sandown yesterday while Dream Bolt disappointed at that track last month having finished ahead of PEARLS LEGEND on the Esher course previously. This sharper track will better suit John Spearing’s front-runner, who is also 7lb better off, and the 10-year-old is fancied to open his seasonal account today. Collateral form gives Sirabad every chance against Plaisir D'amour on these terms but the top weight is returning from a winter break.
Sirabad (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Led and keen, headed 4 out, kept on and no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Plaisir D'Amour (FR) 13-8fav (12-2) Chased leaders and hung left, hit 7th and lost place, dropped to last and outpaced 9th, rallied and went right 4 out and next, ridden and stayed on between last 2, 2nd at the last, ridden to lead and hung left run-in, soon clear, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Red Devil Star (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Somchine 10-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left and bumped 3rd, mistake and outpaced 7th, 6th and no impression when mistake, slithered on landing and unseated rider 3 out, at Wincanton 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Pearls Legend 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and beaten next, no extra last, 3rd of 7, 12 1/2l behind Sew On Target (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Canicallyouback 9-1 (10-6) Chasing leaders 2nd, fell 7th, at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, always behind, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 9, 25 3/4l behind Speredek (11-6) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Allow Dallow (IRE) 10-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd 8th until 4 out, mistake 3 out, jumped right and one pace 2 out, plugged on flat, 3rd of 6, 36 3/4l behind The Geegeez Geegee (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Lord Ben (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, closer in 4th before 9th, 3rd before next, went 2nd before 4 out until next, chased leaders, ridden and one pace in 4th approaching the last, 4th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Plaisir D'amour (12-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Rock On Rocky 3-1 (11-5) Made most, clear when came back into view last, comfortably (poor visibility), won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Dr Robin (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
