chased leaders, mistake 1st and 2nd, given reminder, not fluent 5th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 2nd, behind and reminder 4th, closed from 3 out and went 4th 2 out, no further progress and well beaten last
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, went 2nd and not much room 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
led, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, edged right approaching last, headed towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 2 out
chased leader, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, well held in 3rd before last, one pace
Halcyon Days has gone up 5lb for winning at Catterick and is better on ground with some give. Sporting Press is only 4lb higher than when making a winning start over the larger obstacles at Musselburgh. John Williams is a Musselburgh specialist but OAK VINTAGE has won twice around here and his yard remains in top form. Tommy Dowson’s mount is back on his last winning mark and may be capable of conceding weight all round in a tight handicap, though Uno Valoroso has been running well enough this season and is also a course and distance winner.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden next, weakened flat and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 5, 6 1/4l behind Caraline (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Halcyon Days 6-1 (11-4) Held up in 5th, closer in 3rd at 6th, 2nd soon after 4 out, challenged next, led after 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Commis D'Office (11-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Sporting Press (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, jumped left 1st, not fluent 5th, headway before 9th, left 2nd 4 out, wandered before leading last, soon headed and drifted slightly right, stayed on under pressure to lead again close home, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating King Golan (10-4) by nk, 6 ran.
Le Frank (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led until 4th, lost 2nd before next, chased leaders, weakened 8th, mistake 4 out, 5th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Wishfull Dreaming (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Welcome Ben (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until before 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind No Ceiling (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
John Williams (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway to lead 3rd, headed 8th and dropped to 3rd, outpaced in rear and beaten before next, last of 5, 22 1/2l behind Monsieur Co (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Uno Valoroso (FR) 9-1 (11-6) In touch in rear, ridden 4 out, headway next, stayed on to go second flat, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Star Foot (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
