held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort 3 out, kept on under pressure to hold on for 2nd, no chance with winner
made all, 10 clear 3 out, not fluent next, ran on well, easily
tracked leader, slow 4th, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
Shantou Rock is two from two over track and trip and now tries his luck in a handicap. This is undoubtedly a step up in grade and he may not be much of a price. AVISPA hasn’t raced since July last year and she’s having her 13th start over hurdles but Alan King’s mare looks the type to go well fresh and has her ground so a big run is anticipated. Discours D'un Roi is definitely better than he showed on his first run for the Henderson yard at Sandown and preferred to Canicallyouback and Thunder Sheik, who have been badly out of sorts.
Discours D'un Roi (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Took keen hold in rear, never involved, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered 2 out, pulled up, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Avispa 5-4fav (10-12) Made all, clear from 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul beating Stamp Your Feet (10-10) by 19l, 7 ran.
Shantou Rock (IRE) 2-9fav (11-9) Made all, pressed until 3rd, drew clear before not fluent 3 out, hit 2 out, cantered home, won at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Comanche Chieftain (11-2) by 36l, 4 ran.
Canicallyouback 25-1 (11-6) In rear, not fluent 5th, pushed along and struggling after 6th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out, at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
