held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, ridden after last, stayed on to lead flat
held up in touch, effort when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on under pressure from last, no impression
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden last, headed flat, kept on same pace
held up in touch, stumbled 7th, headway 3 out, effort when not fluent next, soon ridden and one pace
led, mistake and headed 4 out, ridden and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
Another small field and a potentially trappy contest, and first-time blinkers may well be the key to success for Shoudawoudacouda, who gets the vote ahead of Tartan Snow and Mirage Dore. The selection is still a maiden but put in a decent effort when runner-up at Newton Abbot last time out and significantly that run came on good to firm. Peter Bowen's runner has previously shown some smart form when third to Ballyfitz over three miles at Chepstow in December, so this step back up in trip won't be an issue and with first-time headgear to concentrate the mind he can finally get off the mark. Tartan Snow is a danger, having won here over 2m 2f last time, but he is unproven on ground this quick, and that plus a 5lb rise here means we are prepared to take him on at the likely odds. Mirage Dore is very consistent, having not been out of the first three in his last eight starts. He has won on fast ground and gets this trip well, and is 1lb better off with Tartan Snow for just under three lengths here last time, so is very much respected. Storymaker is a capable sort who has won over a range of trips, but he does prefer soft ground, while Lethem Air acts on the ground, but he is half a stone or so out of the handicap, and we'll take a chance on Shoudawoudacouda.
Mirage Dore (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway halfway, effort approaching 2 out, edged left, kept on under pressure towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Tartan Snow (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Tartan Snow 11-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 3 out to track leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs beating Bollin Ruth (10-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Storymaker 14-1 (11-3) Headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 2l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) With winner, ridden, every chance 2 out, switched left, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Green Prospect (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gf.
Lethem Air 33-1 (10-0) Disputed lead until 8th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Ballyhale (10-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
