raced keenly towards rear, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, went second approaching 2 out, kept on but no match for winner
held up in touch, took closer order 7th, nudged along after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
pressed leader, led 4 out, went clear approaching last, pushed out flat, comfortably
in touch, headway to chase leaders 8th, went second before 3 out, ridden along approaching 2 out, ran on well final 100yds, just failed to get second
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, struggling when hit 3 out, plugged on from 2 out
led, headed 4 out, soon pushed along, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake next
SAO has been in excellent form over fences all winter, scoring three times though all on ground with plenty of give. If he handles today's conditions, he can carry on the good work. Cracking Destiny landed a Class 2 handicap on good going here last September though that was over 2m4f and this could prove too short. Isaac Wonder made a very encouraging comeback at Newbury and has surprisingly been dropped 1lb for future handicaps but Licklighter has found it tough from 7lb higher after scoring at Bangor last summer. Ardera Cross has a tremendous record having won 14 times though he's very much a specialist on ground with plenty of give.
Sao (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, some headway and closer 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 12th of 18, 26 1/2l behind Editeur Du Gite (10-9) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Cracking Destiny (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Led until not fluent 4th, struggling next, weakened 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Tommy's Oscar (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Fanzio (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Midfield, hit 4th and rider lost iron, well adrift 5th, kept on from 7th but never dangerous, 4th of 6, dist behind King D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Isaac Wonder (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) In rear, ridden after 8th, headway before last, stayed on strongly run in, never nearer, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Shut The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Licklighter (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Taken to post early, close up, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Some Reign (11-11) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Disputed lead, led before 4th, not fluent and headed 8th, lost place approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Halcyon Days (10-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
