soon settled in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, left moderate 2nd last, no chance with winner
mid-division, pushed along 4th, ridden after next, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division when fell 2nd
held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased winner approaching 3 out, switched right before 2 out, ridden and upside when fell last
held up, mistake 6th, headway after 8th, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out
chased leaders to 6th, tailed off, fell 8th
made all, jumped left 3rd, jumped left 3 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed when left clear last, eased flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased winner, jumped left 3rd and 4th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Nonrunner
Old Feathers and Wally Wonder are all fancied to go close here but a tentative vote goes to the Evan Williams-trained Piran. He has run well in handicap company in the past, winning a poor race at Warwick before chasing home Come Bye at Fontwell and then scoring over a longer trip here at Ludlow in January. He looks a progressive sort and can defy an eight-pound rise in the weights. Old Feathers was seventh behind Piran last time they met and he is nine-pound better off with the winner. He has since won at Uttoxeter and rates as the main danger to Piran. Wally Wonder was a good second behind Colophony at Huntingdon last time but may not be suited by the drying conditions. Etendard Indien was smart on the Flat and made a promising start over hurdles, but seems to have lost his way. He could go well at a big price, but Piran and Old Feathers look to have this between them and our selection is Piran.
Pro Dancer (USA) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 24l behind Gods Token (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Old Feathers (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led to 5th, left in lead 6th, ridden 3 out, clear last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Herecomestanley (10-1) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Piran (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, led after 3 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating Ingres (10-12) by 2l, 18 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 20-1 (10-11) In touch until weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 31l behind Oscatello (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Samandara (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Blundered 1st, always towards rear, no impression, 8th of 14, 41l behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Wally Wonder (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Colophony (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Sistema 6-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and some headway after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 21l behind Urowells (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (4) gs.
Lowe Go 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway from 8th, pressed leaders 2 out, ridden and every chance last, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 10l behind Turaath (11-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Feb '05.
