tracked leader, led before 2 out where mistake, ridden and pressed last, headed early run-in, no impression and lost 2nd towards finish
settled in touch, headway to track leaders 4th, driven to chase leader 2 out, unable to quicken last, kept on under pressure run-in to take 2nd towards finish
chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 3 out and soon well behind
hit 1st, settled in touch, chased leading pair 3 out, effort on outside 2 out, challenged last, hard ridden to lead early run- in, stayed on well
held up, ridden and struggling from 5th, soon well behind
in touch, hit 4th, weakened under pressure before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, stayed on steadily from 3 out, nudged along and kept on run-in, nearest finish
held up in last pair, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until headed before 2 out, weakening when mistakes 2 out and last
Regal Heights, Menchikov and Aztec Warrior are three against the field in a competitive finale and the vote is given to Regal Heights. The selection was a good third behind Senorita Rumbalita last time out. This looks easier and he need only reproduce that effort to win this. Menchikov rates the main danger on his latest third behind Yaboya. That form has since been franked but the suspicion is he will be seen to even better effect over a longer trip in time and he is opposed on that basis. Aztec Warrior is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder, Pass It On represents top connections and should be noted in the market but Regal Heights sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
Regal Heights (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Steady pace, not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, every chance flat, not quicken, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Senorita Rumbalita (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Menchikov (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, every chance from 3 out, not quicken close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Yaboya (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Acacia Avenue (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden approaching 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 20l behind Flintoff (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (H) gs.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 12l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Froghole Flyer 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 32l behind Manners (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Mid Sussex Spirit 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, effort on wide outside over 2f out, one pace and no impression approaching final furlong, 5th of 16, 6l behind Itsa Legend (11-1) at Kempton 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb '04.
Pass It On (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway on outer after 5th, pressed leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 3l behind Double Header (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '04.
Swift Water (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Tihui Two (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Otantique (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 17, 16l behind Pressgang (11-0) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Stoney Drove (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Wee Robbie (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Over The Flow 9-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 7f out, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 15th of 19, well behind Inherent (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (H) gs in Dec.
