chased leading pair, went 2nd 6th, led before 3 out, hung left bumped and headed next, continued to hang left and no extra in 3rd
held up tracking leaders on inside, smooth headway tracking leaders before 3 out, led on bit 2 out, blundered last, soon headed, rallied run-in, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, challenged on outside in 2nd 2 out, pushed upsides last, soon led, ridden and pressed run-in, stayed on gamely to assert towards finish
raced keenly, held up tracking leaders, headway travelling well before 3 out, 2nd 3 out until before next where mistake and weakened
held up tracking leaders on outside, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leader, hit 3rd, led next, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened rapidly, behind when stumbled badly 2 out
led, hit 3rd, jumped slowly and headed next, chased leader, hit 5th, lost 2nd next, behind and struggling 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
NonRunner
Ulysses has more chance in this than when taking on Apple’s Shakira at Cheltenham but he’d been beaten in a Fakenham seller earlier. Falcon Sun was more than 12 lengths behind Mister Chow at Warwick in January and is only 7lb better off but Gary Moore’s gelding disappointed next time in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock. Haulani has become expensive to follow and didn’t appear to get home over an extended 2m3f at Musselburgh two runs ago while stamina may also be an issue with Hereford second Nigh Or Never. Connections paid 120,000 euros for OISTRAKH LE NOIR in the autumn and he’s been quick to start repaying their investment. Just beaten on his UK debut at Ascot, he easily went one better at Market Rasen and should have more to offer.
Phoenix Dawn 25-1 (10-10) Raced awkwardly in last trio, dropped to last 6f out, behind and struggling under pressure over 3f out, never a factor, 7th of 8, 10l behind Grapevine (11-4) at Kempton 2m (5) pol in Mar.
Oistrakh Le Noir (FR) 4-9fav (11-4) Jumped well, made all, clear and nudged out from last, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Antunes (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mister Chow 4-1 (11-3) Towards rear and in touch, mistake 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 6, dist behind Turning Gold (10-12) at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Feb.
Nigh Or Never (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, stayed on, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Royale Zanzibar (11-2) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Falcon Sun (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, lost place after 3 out, no impression before next, kept on flat, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Mister Chow (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Ulysses (GER) 100-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Apple's Shakira (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Haulani (USA) 2-1 (10-10) Led early, chased winner until ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and beaten, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Swashbuckle (11-4) at Southwell 2m (4) pol in Mar.
Cold Shoulder 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and no extra after last, 4th of 8, 6l behind Fly Du Charmil (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
