soon led, headed 10f out, chased leader, led again over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
mid-division, closed on inside over 4f out, not much room and lost place over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on well inside final furlong, led close home
led early, prominent, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed close home
raced freely, soon prominent, led 10f out, headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
held up in rear, some headway when not clear run over 1f out, well beaten final furlong
chased leaders, weakened from over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along 8f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
steadied start, always in rear
soon towards rear, headway when not much room 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, 2nd and hanging left over 1f out, stayed on same pace final 150 yards, fading towards finish
Today’s going may be too quick for winning hurdler Christopher Wood and it’s unlikely to suit Buriram either. The latter was behind Theatro at Nottingham in the autumn but it’s possible that Groveman may be more forward that his stablemate having won at Newcastle in February. Nakeeta is well treated nowadays but looking a shadow of his former self and preference is for BALLYLEMON, who did win his maiden over course and distance last year and is almost certainly better than he showed later in handicaps. Ingleby Hollow also likes it here so can’t be ignored.
Groveman 9-4 (9-5) Made all, driven clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Sexy Beast (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, weakened before blunder last, 16th of 24, 23 1/4l behind Saint Roi (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Akamanto (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, every chance 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Champarisi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Monsieur Lambrays 10-1 (8-3) Held up last, wide and weakened on home turn, 3rd of 4, 14 1/4l behind El Misk (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Buriram (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Goshen (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Nakeeta 66-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Astromachia (10-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Ballylemon (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again over 4f out until 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Pianissimo (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Theatro (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Goshen (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Ingleby Hollow 14-1 (9-10) Always behind, 12th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Bollin Joan (9-5) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Doctor Cross (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 12 3/4l behind Champagne Champ (8-12) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Well Funded (IRE) 11-8jfav (9-5) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Maid In Manhattan (10-2) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp fll (3) sft in Oct.
Mr Carpenter (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 13, 17 3/4l behind Healing Power (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Oct.
