led 2f, tracked leader, settled 3rd 12f out, 2nd again 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
keen, held up last, good headway on outside chasing leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, kept on strongly
held up, pushed along 4f out, plugged on final 2f
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, no chance after
held up towards rear, never involved
tracked leaders, 3rd 6f out, reminders soon after, weakened quickly, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd well inside final furlong, never going pace of winner
took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd 12f out, led 11f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, losing place when hampered on inside soon after, weakened quickly, eased
held up in touch on inside, headway under pressure chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong, eased
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 2f until 11f out, tracked leader until 6f out, 2nd again 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
NonRunner
Tuscan Gold finished runner-up in this last year and has won over hurdles during the winter. Madam Lilibet, third a year ago then a close second over a longer trip on a return visit, ran poorly after that but is 11lb lower as a consequence. MEDICINE HAT won over the course and distance in 2015 and has been busy on the all-weather over the winter, culminating in a comfortable victory at Newcastle. A 3lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent another victory though this is the sort of trip and ground that suits La Fritillaire and she'll be a threat if James Given has her ready. Our Folly stays extreme distances and scored over timber at Uttoxeter in September, though he hasn't been seen since the following month.
Medicine Hat 6-4fav (9-9) Tracked leader, challenged going well over 2f out, led well over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Stoneham (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Uncle Bernie (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Midtech Star (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Gran Paradiso (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon headway, ridden and in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 24 1/4l behind Another Bill (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Oct.
Riptide 100-1 (9-2) Raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders halfway, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, dist behind Oriental Fox (9-2) at Pontefract 2m 2f stks (3) sft in Oct.
Our Folly 6-1 (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, never on terms, 4th of 7, 13l behind Gingili (11-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Hartside (GER) 10-1 (11-4) Always behind, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 21l behind Caius Marcius (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Tuscan Gold 8-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, left 2nd from 6th, mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Joseph Mercer (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Hier Encore (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden well over 1f out, edged left and headed 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Monjeni (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Madam Lilibet (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Led to post, pushed along in rear, ridden 6f out, headway under pressure 4f out, tracked leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8 1/4l behind La Fritillaire (8-11) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Dream Serenade 6-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 9 1/2l behind Masterson (9-8) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Rock On Bollinski 9-1 (9-13) Dwelt badly, in rear, struggling over 4f out, never a threat, tailed off, 9th of 11, 22 3/4l behind Wishing Well (9-6) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
La Fritillaire 5-1 (9-7) Raced wide, tracked leader, led halfway, switched wide over 5f out, joined over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 32 1/2l behind Italian Riviera (9-2) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
