disputed lead, led 6th, untidy 3 out, pressed approaching 2 out and headed on the run to the last, edged left when held after the last and no match for the winner closing stages
pulled hard and disputed lead, mistake 5th, headed and chased leader after 6th, niggled along when pressed for 2nd on the run to 3 out, headed and left in 3rd when outpaced 3 out, rallied well and stayed on strongly after the last
tracked leader, pushed along and outpaced on the run to 3 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader in 4th, niggled along after 5th, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up in last, not fluent 6th, headway into 3rd 4 out, made strong challenge 3 out and on the run to 2 out, bad mistake 2 out but landed running and soon led, 2-length lead last and driven out to extend advantage run-in, comfortable
Shinobi is still improving but carries a double penalty today having won over today’s trip at Wincanton last time. WILDFIRE WARRIOR may take advantage of the weight concession as he returned to action with promising effort at Exeter on his hurdling debut when beaten less than a length in third. Philip Hobbs’ charge also has a fitness edge over the returning Fedelta, who placed at Ludlow back in February and should be winning over hurdles this season. Artemision and Sonny Crockett need to improve to figure though both have their second outings after wind surgery.
Shinobi (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Made all, ridden when left clear last, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct beating Perfect Predator (10-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Artemision 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, chased leaders, plugged on final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Rabski (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Fedelta (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in last pair, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair after last, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Southfield Harvest (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Sonny Crockett (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 7th, closed before 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 28 3/4l behind Star Gate (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Wildfire Warrior (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, not always fluent, headway 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Flash Collonges (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
