tailed off in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up, in touch, challenged on bit from 3f out, led just inside final 2f, soon clear, pushed out final furlong, easily
held up, in touch, headway to track leader 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed just inside final 2f, soon no chance with winner, held for 2nd near finish
chased leaders, until weakened and behind final 3f
led and disputed, headed 5f out, weakened rapidly 3f out
chased leaders, promising effort over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
in touch until weakened and behind final 3f
disputed lead, led 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
A bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these types of events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Art Virginia, Double Law and Clyffe Hanger and the vote is given to Art Virginia. The selection was a fair sort in point to points last season. He hails from a yard that does well in this sphere and they obviously think he has the pace for this distance so the hint should be taken. Double Law rates the main danger as he was a fair fourth behind Clyffe Hanger on his last run of last season and with his yard in form he should gain revenge on that rival on these revised terms. Clyffe Hanger is sure to have his supporters but he will do well to give weight and a beating to some less-exposed types. Stoney Drove is another from a yard that does well in this sphere but this gelding by Exit To Nowhere out of a lightly-raced mare is bred to do better over a longer trip in time and for the winner we return to Art Virginia who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr beating Ballybough Jack (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 1-2fav (11-1) Always prominent, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar '04 beating Swift Swallow (11-4) by 7l, 20 ran.
Art Virginia (FR) 5-4fav (12-0) won at Upton-On-severn 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Jarod (12-0) by 12l, 12 ran.
Double Law 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over final furlong, 4th of 8, 11l behind Clyffe Hanger (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Joyryder Cloudings gelding out of Knight Ryde.
Stoney Drove (FR) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Wenlocks Wonder I'm Supposin gelding out of Idiots Money.
Whosethatfor (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 18, 13l behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Kempton 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
