pressed leader, disputing lead after 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened before the last
held up in last trio, never on terms
led until after 4 out, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, well held 4th and one pace run-in, plugged on, almost snatched 3rd
last pair, never involved
in touch, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led and hit 2 out, shaken up and clear last, edged right and stayed on strongly run-in
chased leaders, disputing lead from 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, fell 3rd
held up in last pair, headway 3 out, 3rd 2 out, 2nd soon after, ridden and no impression approaching last, one pace run-in, no chance with winner
Akavit, Duke Of Medina, Pillard and Duke Street all ran in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. The latter did best, though was still well beaten. Jaboltiski was last seen in the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow in January. He was a well-beaten fourth but had won in his first two over timber while Pemba was successful at Doncaster and Catterick around the turn of the year, though disappointed over this trip at Exeter last time. Another mare, CULTURE DE SIVOLA, rallied bravely to beat the odds-on Forgiving Glance at Taunton last month. She will appreciate the extra yardage here judged on that effort and is holding her form well. Clic Work needs to improve on his fifth at Taunton but is capable of doing so and he has more scope than Cobra De Mai.
Duke Of Medina (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, well beaten after 3 out, 14th of 22, dist behind Diego Du Charmil (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Jaboltiski (SPA) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, went 4th before 3 out, never on terms and well held 2 out, 4th of 8, 32 1/4l behind Adrien Du Pont (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Akavit (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, lost place after next, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Pillard (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, well beaten 3 out, 13th of 22, dist behind Diego Du Charmil (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Clic Work (FR) 5-2 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, some headway when not fluent 5th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Duke Street (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 3 out, no impression when badly hampered last, 9th of 22, 23 1/4l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Culture De Sivola (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 2 out, pressed and jumped awkwardly last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied gamely under pressure to regain lead and hung left close home, won at Taunton 2m fll (4) gs in Mar beating Forgiving Glance (11-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Deebaj (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winer before last, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Sleep Easy (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Pemba (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 6, 30 1/4l behind Hannah's Princess (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 13-2 (10-3) Held up in 4th, ridden after 2 out (usual 3 out), outpaced bypassing omitted 2 out, no impression before last, 4th of 6, 15 3/4l behind Royal Vacation (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
