chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, not fluent next, weakened on long run after 3 out
chased leaders, 2nd 3rd until pushed along before 2 out, left in 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, plugged on same pace
chased leaders on inside, awkward 2nd, slightly hampered on bend after 3 out, outpaced when slightly hampered again approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
led and wandered in front, jinked left before 2 out, joined when fell 2 out
held up tracking leaders, headway chasing leaders 6th, 2nd going well before 2 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths clear last, headed and no extra last strides
in rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch 6th, headway on outside under pressure before 2 out, 4th and well held when hit last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 6th, plugged on in 4th run-in
always towards rear, never on terms
held up in last pair, good headway on outside chasing leaders 5th, left in 2nd 2 out, ridden and 3 lengths down last, stayed on under pressure run-in, led final strides
NonRunner
NonRunner
Three Star General won over a similar trip at Worcester last year and returned to form over 3m at Ascot recently when only finding one too good. Handicap debutant Jet Set has yet to finish out of the frame under Rules and has to go on the short-list. Irish import Lex Talionis wasn’t beaten far at Southwell last month but Coeur Pensif has been a bit hit-and-miss so far. We’ll take a chance on LIP SERVICE, who has had a wind operation since making a decent start for Fergal O’Brien at Cheltenham in the autumn. He has few miles on the clock for his age and had decent form when trained in Ireland by Tony Martin.
Coeur Pensif (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Led, mistakes throughout, 15 lengths clear 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 30 3/4l behind Tommy Rapper (11-10) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Three Star General 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased leaders before next, stayed on into 2nd run-in and closed on winner, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Ballyheigue Bay (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Lip Service (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Slowly away, behind, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase clear leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace, took 4th near finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 19, 14 3/4l behind Melrose Boy (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Jet Set (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner flat but well clear of rest, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Indian Hawk (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway tracking leaders when blundered 3 out, 3rd next, kept on run-in, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Supakalanistic (12-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Vango De Vaige (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, lost place after 3rd, weakened 5th, pulled up after next, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Fenlons Court (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway before 7th, driven in 5th after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 14, dist behind Savoy Court (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Admiral Kid (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened before not fluent 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Tzar De L'Elfe (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Quiz Master (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Sergeant Brody 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, outpaced 5 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on well to take modest 2nd after last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Tommy Rapper (11-10) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Cheer's Delboy (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Raced wide held up, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, 6th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Cap Du Nord (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
