tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened before last
in rear, effort before 2 out, kept on one pace, went 3rd towards finish
in touch, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced
led from 2nd, headed after last, soon ridden and no extra
held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led after last, soon ridden, kept on well
Chestnut Ben had Yorkist just over three lengths behind with The Grey Taylor and Aye Well beaten a long way when scoring at Musselburgh last month. The runner-up will be 7lb better off taking jockey claims into consideration but the winner has since run very well at Sandown and can confirm the form. However, Lightening Rod was narrowly beaten into third by Peter Winks' charge at Musselburgh in January and the revised weights give him an obvious chance of reversing the form. JET MASTER (NAP) completed a course and distance double at this time last year on similar ground to this. He hasn't run well recently but back on his favourite surface can return to winning ways. Indian Voyage, who won here in November and completed a quick double at Wetherby, has been struggling after shooting up the weights.
The Grey Taylor (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Chestnut Ben (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Jet Master (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Held up, always in rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, 30 1/4l behind Bernardelli (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Yorkist (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) In touch, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Upsilon Bleu (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Indian Voyage (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Rathlin (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Lightening Rod 13-2 (11-10) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on well flat, pressed front pair toward finish, just held, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Chestnut Ben (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leading pair, went 2nd and hit 3rd, hit next, lost 2nd 8th, 3rd when hit 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led 2 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Irish Thistle (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Aye Well 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until 1st, not fluent 3rd, ridden and behind 5th, 5th of 9, 25 1/2l behind Chestnut Ben (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
