held up towards rear, outpaced 6f out, headway 4f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, never dangerous
held up, pushed along halfway, tailed off 3f out
held up in touch, led over 1f out, driven out
led, headed over 4f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
held up, ridden halfway, tailed off over 6f out
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 4f out
held up, ridden halfway, headway 4f out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, pushed along halfway, tailed off 6f out
mid-division, lost place over 5f out
A wide open bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the principals look to be Merrydown, Karabak and Michigan Assassin and the narrow vote is given to Merrydown. The selection won well last time out when beating Eyre Square despite running green and although having a penalty for that win he looks sure to improve and looks the one to be on. Karabak rates the main danger as he hails from a yard that can ready a newcomer and this Kahyasi gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Mossville, will not have to be anything special to take a hand in the finish. Michigan Assassin has shaped with promise in three starts to date but he is bred to be suited by further and is taken on with this in mind. Alderley Rover is a Beneficial gelding out of an unraced mare and is another to note in the market but for the winner we are happy to return to Merrydown.
Merrydown (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb beating Eyre Square (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Four Franks (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up and keen, ridden over 6f out, soon some headway, one pace, 7th of 19, 20l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Karabak (FR) Kahyasi gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Mossville and 1m4f winner Vitora.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led to halfway, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 11, 42l behind The Old Pretender (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Mr Bond (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 19, 30l behind Kaskader (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Alderley Rover (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of an unraced mare.
Ginger Tom 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 6f, soon weakened, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Have You Seen Me (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (4) gs in Mar.
Son of Karinga 12-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Cockney Trucker (11-2) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Springfield Raki Rakaposhi King gelding out of winning hurdler Springfield Rhyme.
Wingull (IRE) Darnay gelding out of winning hurdler Avro Avian.
Ambrosia's Promise (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Behind, driven along over 4f out, never on terms, 10th of 16, 8l behind Lady Bluesky (10-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gs.
Roman Bury 20-1 (10-7) With leaders, lost place 5f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Bentons Choice (10-7) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.