tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, ridden out
ran in snatches, chased leaders on inside, mistake and lost place 4th, closer in 3rd place 12th, hit next, lost 3rd 14th, driven along and no impression in 4th after
led until before 3rd, chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 12th
never travelled in last trio, jumped slowly and driven 7th, blundered 9th, tailed off 10th, pulled up before next
chased leader, led before 3rd until 4 out, chased winner until next, no impression in 3rd
keen early, held up in last pair, outpaced and struggling 13th, tailed off
held up early, closer tracking leaders 4th, went 3rd 13th, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before next
Taunton winner Plantagenet found one too good raised 7lb last time but Matthew Fielding’s allowance helps on that score. Midnight Bliss continued his good progress over fences with a victory at Fontwell though third-placed Robinroyale re-opposes on better terms while CLONDAW BISTO has undergone wind surgery since finishing runner-up over course and distance in December. Suzy Smith’s charge finished nine lengths clear of a subsequent winner on that occasion and gets the vote off his current mark. Recent Lingfield second Tzar De L'Elfe would prefer softer going while James King has ridden the last two winners of this but looks to have his work cut out on Fly Home Harry.
Plantagenet 11-8fav (11-3) Led, jumped right, headed 7th, led 9th, headed 10th, led after 11th, headed and pecked 2 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Special Prep (11-5) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Big Meadow (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 9th, mistake next, rallied after reminders 12th, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, at Lingfield 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Robinroyale (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led until 2nd, with leader, mistake 6th, led again before 8th, driven last, headed and no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Midnight Bliss (11-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Clondaw Bisto (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, close up in 3rd when blundered and good recovery by rider 3 out, soon lost place, rallied into 2nd before next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind The Tin Miner (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Midnight Bliss 5-1 (11-3) With leader, led 2nd until before 8th, pressed leader, ridden to lead again run-in, held on, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Cucklington (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fly Home Harry 11-1 (12-2) Chasing leaders when blundered almost unseated rider and lost place 3rd, towards rear and never on terms after, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Tzar De L'Elfe (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, hampered 1st, hit 8th, outpaced 5 out, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on into 2nd flat, never reached winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Parlour Maid (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
