with leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 7th, led 5 out, clear when not fluent 2 out, easily
in rear in 4th, pushed along before 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on to take 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner
led, headed before 3rd, not fluent 6th, challenged 4 out, every chance 3 out, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
with leaders, led before 3rd, headed 5 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
STARKIE (NAP) hasn’t won in almost three years and but his big chance may have finally arrived today as he wouldn’t need to improve much on his latest second at Taunton to beat today’s rivals. Un Anjou races off the same mark as when only finding one too good at Fontwell so rates the danger ahead of Rude And Crude, a disappointing favourite on his chasing bow at Leicester, and Edgar, who never seems to run two races alike.
Starkie 11-4fav (11-8) Disputed lead until 4th, challenged again 6th, led next, headed next, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, stayed with every chance until held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Bally Lagan (10-0) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Un Anjou (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 4th, hit 9th, headed before last, closed on winner when switched right towards finish, unable to get back to challenge, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind The Geegeez Geegee (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Rude And Crude (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, led 5 out, headed before next, soon rallied, weakened before last, modest 4th, 4th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Ardmayle (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Edgar (GER) 9-2 (11-11) Mistakes, tracked leaders, bumped 1st, slightly hampered 4th, beaten before last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Barton Rose (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
