chased leaders, went 3rd before 6th where not fluent, weakened into 5th when stumbled just after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, soon steadied into 6th, smooth headway on wide outside before 3 out, ridden and found little in 4th after 3 out and soon beaten
made all, clear 2nd, reduced lead 5th, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on gamely flat to assert final 100 yards
took keen hold in rear, struggling after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, soon settled 4th, chased winner soon after 3 out, challenged going well 2 out, every chance last, found no extra and held final 100 yards
behind, struggling after 5th, tailed off
chased winner, hit 6th, dropped to 3rd soon after 3 out, no chance with front pair when hit 2 out
SPENT sets the standard for this race with Alonso De Guzman and Lucky Sunny likely to represent the biggest test. Rated 120, the Alison Thorpe trained gelding has ran to a respectable level against better opposition and if able to handle the likely ground conditions, should prove a tough nut to crack. Alonzo De Guzman makes a belated hurdling debut. A winner over 1m6f for Jim Boyle, it will be fascinating to see what the market makes of him on debut especially after such a long time off. Lucky Sunny won his debut bumper for Richard Phillips but was unable to defy a penalty. The going should hold few ills this afternoon. River Rhapsody is eligible for handicaps post this run so will make plenty of appeal at that juncture. Ramvaswani is often backed but the bookmakers are happy to oppose him and have been right to do so on every occasion that he has set foot on the racetrack. The remainder look to have little realistic chance. Spent sets the standard and we seek not to oppose.
Call Me Dave 66-1 (10-8) In rear, fell 1st, in a race won by Sophies Trophy (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Lucky Sunny (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, switched left when chasing leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Awesome Freddie (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 5th of 17, 9l behind Merry Music (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
So Ecstatic 50-1 (11-2) Led, took keen hold, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Ramses De Marcigny (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Spent 10-1 (11-1) Prominent, raced keenly, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 15, 20l behind Captain Chris (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
River Rhapsody (IRE) 200-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 16, 45l behind Raquel White (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Annie The Doc 100-1 (9-12) With leader, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Led, ran wide entering straight inside final 2f, soon headed, chased winner after and closed again near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Epsom Salts (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol in Nov '08 (flat).
