in touch, headway approaching 2 out, led briefly run-in, kept on
mid-division, ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced
towards rear, headway 2 out, shaken up to lead run-in, kept on
tracked leader, effort between last 2, one pace run-in
held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out
led, headed run-in, weakened
soon behind
Nonrunner
There are some progressive types in opposition here and we will nominate According To Pete over Poker De Sivola and Mirjan. The selection should be fit enough to do himself justice here as he had a pipe-opener on the flat at Doncaster last month and that should leave him spot-on for this. He showed some decent form last season and he will handle the ground so he has plenty of ticks in the right boxes. Poker De Sivola looked a smart prospect towards the end of last season but it remains to be seen how well treated he is on his handicap debut and he may be sharper for this forst outing of the season. Mirjan has been out recently on the flat so fitness should not be a problem and on his best form he would have to enter calculations. However, he is 11-years-old now and he lacks the scope of some of the others. Aston Lad is best on soft ground so unless there is a lot of rain then he should be best watched. All of which brings us back to According To Pete as our pick.
According To Pete 3-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Through The Rye (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Aston Lad 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, effort next, soon ridden, hung right, one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Sharp Reply (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, pushed out, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Dancer's Serenade (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Rothbury 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, headed 2 out, no extra, 6th of 9, 6l behind Heavenly Chorus (9-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Reel Charmer 33-1 (11-8) In touch, mistake 7th, soon ridden, weakened next, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 12, 14l behind Idarah (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Something Silver 7-2 (11-1) Led, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, well behind Amstecos (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 21l behind Barney (10-1) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
Mirjan (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, struggling from 3rd, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Through The Rye (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
