made all, drew easily clear approaching 2 out, eased flat
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out
tended to jump right, chased winner, ridden after 6th, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, ridden in 3rd when hit 2 out
always in rear, blundered 3rd, hit 5th, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along after 6th, went 2nd under pressure soon after 3 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
raced in 7th, mistake 4th, ridden and lost touch from next, tailed off
soon off the pace in mid-division, stayed on approaching 2 out, never in contention
It's possible that Art Trend is getting his act together but we'd still rather take him on and will do so with MICKLE BOWER rather than Tobago Bay. Sheena West's runner enjoyed some success back in June and arguably ran a career best race when finishing in midfield in the Fred Winter; he usually makes the running and should ensure that this is a decent test. Art Trend was found a soft race to break his duck on the Flat and Paul Nicholls' found a similarly competitive race for him at Taunton last time where he had King's Alchemist five lengths back in second. This is tougher and will provide a sterner test of his mettle. Maxwil has his quirks but sufficient ability to be rated a player as he showed when runner up to Saticon in October but Mickle Bower may just be more straightforward. He's progressed with each start over hurdles and could give his connections plenty of fun over the summer and Mickle Bower can start by winning here.
Tobago Bay 80-1 (10-6) Led, hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra last, 7th of 22, 9l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Art Trend (IRE) 4-5fav (10-7) Prominent, chased leader after 5th, led after 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, pushed out flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) fm in Mar beating King's Alchemist (10-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Mickle Bower (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th approaching 2 out, stayed on to 3rd last, kept on well to lead last 100yds, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Mar beating Wikaala (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Always Certain (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Led, headed 6f out, soon ridden and lost touch, tailed off final 3f, last of 8, well behind Supsonic (8-11) at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Mar (flat).
Den's Boy 100-1 (8-10) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and weakened well over 3f out, eased final 2f, last of 7, well behind Electrolyser (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb '08 (flat).
King's Alchemist 7-2 (10-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Art Trend (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) fm in Mar.
Maxwil 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, challenging for 3rd when awkward last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 11l behind Spanish Conquest (10-9) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Mar.
Robbmaa (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Led until after 1st, chased winner, reminder after 4th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 26l behind Simarian (10-13) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Aug.
What's For Tea 14-1 (10-2) Behind from 3rd, hampered 5th, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Morestead (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
