tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, strongly pressed run-in, driven and stayed on gamely, on top towards finish
held up off the pace in last pair, pushed along after 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders, hit 1st, lost place before 4th, stumbled badly next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
jumped left at times, chased leaders on inside, awkward 3rd, went left and hit 6th, went 2nd 3 out until before next, weakened between last two
chased leaders out wide, lost place before 4th, rallied and hit 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division until dropped to rear and pushed along after 3rd, rallied approaching 3 out, weakened before next
led, bad mistake and headed 3 out, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before the last
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3rd, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, ridden approaching next, went 2nd before 2 out until hit 2 out, ridden and beaten between last two
waited with in last pair, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, slightly hampered and stumbled 3 out, 2nd going well when switched right before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, strong challenge and every chance edging left run-in, no extra towards finish
Elham Valley is 12lb lower than when third in the Boodles at Cheltenham last year and hasn’t been running as badly as form figures would suggest this season. But, racing on soft going for only the second time under Rules, NEON MOON (NAP) readily bounded clear of an improver at Plumpton last month and a 7lb rise may not thwart a quick double with Fergus Gillard’s claim reducing the extra. Stratton Oakmont still has scope as so does Shearer, who is tried in cheekpieces. Top Of The Bill makes his handicap debut but disappointed at Doncaster when last seen.
Shearer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Chased leader, left in lead 5th, joined 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Triple Trade (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Neon Moon (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Waited with in last pair, good headway out wide approaching 3 out, went 2nd home turn, led before 2 out, clear between last two, kept on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Getalead (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Petit Palais (10-12) Made all, challenged final flight, ridden and ran on, won at Lyon-Parilly 2m 3f hvy in Oct beating Magistador (10-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Top Of The Bill (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders out wide, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, mistake next, went remote 4th towards finih, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Mucho Mas (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec.
Elham Valley (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 5th, closed 3 out, went 3rd before last, no impression on front pair, kept on, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Osprey Call (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Kuraka 10-1 (11-2) Early reminders in rear, still plenty to do at the last, stayed on well run-in, nearest finish but no chance with winner, 4th of 11, 5l behind Fine Casting (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
The Knot Is Tied (IRE) 9-1 (12-1) Led, ridden and headed 3 out(normal 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Terresita (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Stratton Oakmont (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway before 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on flat, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 16, 16 1/2l behind Trump Lady (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Stringtoyourbow (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 13, dist behind Trelawne (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
