led and clear to 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra
chased clear leader, lost place after 3rd, soon outpaced, tailed off 3 out
chased leaders, lost place approaching 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and rallied 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead after last, headed towards finish
held up behind, smooth headway to track leaders 3 out, led on bit towards finish cheekily
held up in touch, went 2nd after 3rd, led 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra
behind, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from next
close up on outside, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Percussionist was capable on his day but Howard Johnson's gelding is not as good as he once was and looks best watched in a race taken to go to PROSECCO, who is taken to confirm Ayr form with Nelson du Ronceray. Peter Monteith's gelding was only beaten three-quarters of a length behind the selection at Ayr but is now 6lbs worse in having won well on a return visit to the track earlier this month. Peter Monteith's First Look ran well when chasing home Polar Gunner at Ayr last time but has harshly been raised 4lbs for that effort. Tartan Snow is capable but inconsistent, while Bywell Beau probably needs more help from the handicapper. Best Prospect is held by Prosecco on running at Ayr and it is hard to get away from Lucinda Russell's gelding, who is taken to win again.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 17l behind European Dream (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
First Look (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and left 3rd 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Polar Gunner (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Marcel (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, lost touch 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind European Dream (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Tartan Snow 10-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 43l behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Best Prospect (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway 5th, effort 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Prosecco (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway halfway, led approaching 3 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Open de L'Isle (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Percussionist (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 36l behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Prosecco (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, led before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on gamely flat, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Nelson du Ronceray (10-8) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Sendali (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 31l behind Strobe (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Major Oak (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 21l behind Here's Johnny (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) sft in Apr '07.
