chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon hard driven, weakened approaching next, tailed off
held up in rear but in touch, hit 3 out, progress to challenge 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace towards finish
went left start, soon chasing leaders, mistakes 5th and 7th, weakened 3 out
led, soon joined, headed after 3 out, led again before next, strongly challenged last, stayed on well
with leader, took keen hold, led after 3 out, headed before next, rallied and every chance last, no extra closing stages
Pilgrims Bay has been placed on a couple of occasions since raised 11lb for winning at Wincanton though he never looked like winning on either occasion. Course and distance winner Oh Land Abloom is similar in that he also failed to cope with a 12lb rise back in a handicap at Newbury in November. CAGED LIGHTNING won a couple of low grade handicaps over 1m6f on the Flat and may prove suited to this longer trip after staying on for third over 2m1f at Sedgefield. He gets the nod with the remaining pair harder to fancy.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, switched right after 2 out, 5th and no impression when mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 25 3/4l behind Missed Approach (10-7) at Newbury 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Pilgrims Bay (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-9) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden before last, soon chased winner, no impression, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 10, 26 1/4l behind Shades Of Midnight (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Ivy Gate (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) In touch in mid-division, mistake and reminder 6th, well beaten after 13th, 7th of 12, dist behind Henri Parry Morgan (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
San Telm (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, headed 2 out, lost 2nd place last, no extra, 4th of 16, 16 1/2l behind Night In Milan (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Caged Lightning (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Flemensfirthleader (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
