soon in touch, chased winner 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon hung right, not quicken inside final furlong
led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
prominent, pushed along over 7f out, outpaced over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold in rear, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway 11f out, weakened over 3f out
prominent, led over 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, some headway on outside over 7f out, soon ridden, weakened 4f out
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, led 3f out, driven out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
always behind, tailed off
A typically open bumper to close the card can go to THE GIGGLER ahead of Keep Talking and Amirico. Alan Swinbank has an impressive record in this type of event and his grey could go some way to enhancing it. A half-brother to 140-rated Silk Drum, the gelding should act under conditions and the booking of Rhys Flint is a positive one, so providing the market makes the right noises he could be good enough to oblige on debut. Keep Talking has shown a decent if unspectacular level of form to date and enters calculations under Alex Merriam. He was only beaten a head last time and should be able to improve further, the concern being he's bred to enjoy a sound surface and therefore may not get his conditions here. Amirico is another newcomer from a good yard and also needs a market check. He's bred to enjoy this surface, being as he is related to soft ground winners, so if the money comes it may pay to sit up and take notice. He's expected to better the level of form shown by the likes of Mister Teddy whose third at Towcester on debut may not amount to much, although he has at least shown soft ground holds no fears. Rosie Raymond and Connemara Shore both showed some ability on debut without looking like winners-in-waiting so more of a threat may emerge from Milgen Bay whose yard can ready a newcomer. The market will offer the biggest clues here but in anticipation of support we'll take The Giggler to have the last laugh.
Amirico (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of Maori's Delight.
Keep Talking (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Set modest gallop, pushed along over 2f out, ridden final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Distant Florin (10-2) at Fakenham 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Mister Teddy 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 7f out, every chance 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind De Forgotten Man (11-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
The Banana Man 25-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 30l behind Wordy's Boy (10-13) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Miss Blueberry 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, hung right and struggling from over 4f out, tailed off, last of 8, 18l behind Fairview Sue (11-4) at Southwell 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4-6yo) (4) std in Feb.
Rosie Raymond 25-1 (10-11) In touch, ran wide on bend 10f out, headway on outside 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Fairview Sue (11-4) at Southwell 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4-6yo) (4) std in Feb.
Connemara Shore (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 10, 25l behind There And Then (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4yo) (4) std in Feb.
Manolete (IRE) Hawkeye gelding out of Sainte Gig.
Milgen Bay Generous gelding out of Lemon's Mill.
The Giggler (IRE) Val Royal gelding out of Aneydia.
Lily Kate 20-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Soldier Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 1m 6f 3yo nhf (6) gd in Nov.
