tracked leaders disputing 3rd, dropped to 4th at 4th, ridden in last before 3 out, soon no impression
disputed lead early, led from 2nd, clear from next, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden entering straight, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders disputing 3rd, improved into 2nd after 4 out, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, stayed on well run-in
held up in last, 4th 3 out, progress into 3rd and ridden 2 out, no impression in 4th at last, no extra
disputed lead early, took keen hold, mistake and headed at 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, 3rd at last, kept on one pace
Fusil Raffles carries a mark of 145 after just one run for Nicky Henderson, a very impressive Grade 2 victory at Kempton in February. He missed Cheltenham and Aintree for this though is taking on much better company and could find FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES tough to beat. A Grade 2 winner at Cheltenham in January, he did really well for a four-year-old in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle then chased home Triumph Hurdle winner Pentland Hills at Aintree. That's very strong form and he should have the edge on French Made, who was 15 lengths behind the winner in the Triumph before just holding off Gardens Of Babylon in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 when Way Back Home was well beaten. Coko Beach looks to have too much to do but his stable companion Surin looks very progressive having followed a defeat of Gardens Of Babylon with a very good run behind Sir Erec in the Grade 1 Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Coko Beach (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 5th, led and edged right before last, headed flat, kept on but held by winner towards finish, 2nd of 21, 2l behind Band of Outlaws (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Pressed leader, narrow leader 1st, clear before 4th until 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, driven after next, joined last, headed flat, went 1/2 length down, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Pentland Hills (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 4-1fav (10-12) Tracked leading trio and always going well 2nd on bit led approaching last, quickened clear, impressive, won at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Beat The Judge (11-1) by 9l, 12 ran.
Way Back Home (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led, slight mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon no extra in 4th, 4th of 9, 19 1/2l behind French Made (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
French Made (FR) 6-1 (10-7) Soon raced in 2nd, closed up before straight, soon on terms, led between last 2, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Gardens of Babylon (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Surin (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st, ridden and disputed 2nd after 2 out, 3rd at last, regained 2nd and no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Sir Erec (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) gd in Feb.
