tracked clear leader, under pressure 3 out, weakened before next
made all, keen early and soon 15 lengths clear, drew further clear 4 out, weakened after last, unchallenged
held up in rear, never dangerous, tailed off
held up well off the pace in mid-division, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, mistake next, headway approaching next, stayed on into 2nd, no chance with winner
held up in rear, blundered 3 out, headway next, stayed on well, never nearer
chased clear leader in 3rd, weakened 4 out
behind, headway after 3 out, chased clear winner next, never a threat
TOTTERDOWN won this on similar going last year when trained by Richard Phillips and is only a pound higher. A free-going front-runner, he could take some pegging back again if he’s benefited from a break. Miranda was disappointing when surrendering her unbeaten record at Wincanton in March but she still has time on her side. Nebuchadnezzar is still a maiden and there are going concerns today while Ebony Gale’s win at Leicester last season came on fast ground. Shut The Box appears to be improving, however, and should be thereabouts.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division early, pushed along 3 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, impeded at last and no extra, 10th of 19, 31 3/4l behind Low Sun (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Apr.
Totterdown 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 4 out, weakened before mistake 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Court Royale (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Miranda (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, lost place after 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Shut The Box (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind Neff (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, edged right and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Nickolson (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Ebony Gale 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra when mistake last, 6th of 14, 21l behind Serosevsky (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Twisler 20-1 (10-8) In touch, chased leaders when hampered 2 out, kept on and every chance last, soon ridden, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Benny's Bridge (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Jackson Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, not fluent last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind War Lord (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
