not fluent 1st, chased leaders on inside, chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, 5th and held when blundered last, weakened run-in
raced keenly, chased leaders, led after 4 out, joined last, headed and no extra run-in
raced on inside, led until after 4 out, remained pressing leaders and every chance when hit last, driven and stayed on, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, soon chasing leaders, switched right going well before 2 out, went 2nd at the last, led run-in, driven out
held up in rear, smooth headway travelling well on heels of leaders approaching 2 out, dived at the last, weakened run-in
towards rear, some headway and pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2
always behind
held up in last pair, headway on outside before 3 out, chased leaders next, switched left 110 yards out, went 3rd final 50 yards
mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened quickly 2 out
raced keenly in mid-division, closer on outside when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out
chased leader, every chance when fell heavily 3 out
Cyrus Darius should appreciate the drop in class but has to concede weight to a competitive-looking line-up. Champagne City is a consistent sort and any market support for the well-handicapped Flying Tiger should be noted as he was in touch when hampered and unseating his rider last time at Taunton but quicker going and a drop in distance may not suit Sandown winner Duarigle. CROOKS PEAK has only beaten small fields in novice company but there should be plenty more to come from Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old now going handicapping. Stablemate Ebony Gale also has a squeak along with the hat-trick seeking Falcon Sun.
Cyrus Darius 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not always fluent, well beaten after 2 out, last of 6, dist behind Midnight Shadow (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, plugged on run-in, 6th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Al Dancer (11-8) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Champagne City 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led before last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Benny's Bridge (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Crooks Peak 7-4 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked rival, quickened to lead between last 2, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Danny Kirwan (10-12) by 3/4l, 2 ran.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, driven to chase leaders when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out, at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
War Brigade (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, effort 2 out, hung right approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Thomas Darby (11-8) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Late Night Lily 3-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, chased winner from before 3 out, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Maria's Benefit (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Duarigle (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside chasing leaders 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating She Mite Bite (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ebony Gale 11-2 (10-13) Held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders after 4 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd at the last, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Maquisard (FR) 13-2 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3rd, went 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Dorking Cock (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Falcon Sun (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Led after 1st, made rest, shaken up after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Thounder (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
