took keen hold, led 1st, clear before next until approaching 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
prominent in chasing group, ridden after 3 out, lost place from next
chased leaders, lost place before 4th, headway after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra last
mid-division, headway before 2nd, hit next, challenged after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakening when mistake last
not always fluent, led until 1st, chased leader, led after 3 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, headway 2 out, edged right and led before last, driven and stayed on well flat
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, towards rear after 3 out, headway before last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to challenge
held up in mid-division headway 6th, lost place after 3 out, rallied before last, no further impression final 100 yards
mid-division, ridden and well beaten after 3 out
held up in rear, mistakes 4th and 5th, well beaten after 3 out
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, well beaten 2 out, stayed on flat, never dangerous
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, no extra next
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway when not fluent 2 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last
held up in rear, headway on outside before 2 out, no impression, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven before 2 out, stayed on and went 3rd flat, unable to challenge
Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have both trained the winner of this Grade 3 handicap twice in the last seven years and are doubly represented. The former runs top weight Phobiaphiliac and Gaitway with the latter beating Nicholls’ Touch Kick at Musselburgh last month. He’s lightly raced but seven-year-olds have a poor record in this. The Mighty Don came good at Fakenham last time and Full Irish made all at Leicester and should ensure a good gallop. Lithic won on the bridle at Huntingdon last week but has a 5lb penalty to carry in a much stronger race. MINELLA AWARDS couldn’t beat No Comment when receiving 10lb at Plumpton on his reappearance but the winner is a leading fancy for next week’s Coral Cup and Harry Fry’s lightly-raced gelding, who almost beat Albert Bartlett third Champers On Ice last season, will strip fitter today. Collateral form gives him the beating of Ramses De Teillee, though the grey has each-way claims again here along with Cash Again and Another Venture.
Phobiaphiliac (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Led clear after 3rd until before 2 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind The Unit (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led until 2 out, weakened quickly, struggling in 5th when hit last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Beyond Conceit (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Full Irish (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Made all, clear until before 4th, clear again normal 3 out, 15 lengths ahead when slow normal 2 out, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 4f (3) hvy in Feb beating Head To The Stars (11-8) by 5l, 5 ran.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, mistakes 1st, 3rd and 4th, not fluent 7th, led 4 out, drew clear before last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) gs in Feb beating Ckalco Des Loges (11-2) by 10l, 6 ran.
Crystal Lad (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 4 out, mistake next, clear before 2 out, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Sir Antony Browne (11-5) by 7l, 9 ran.
Minella Awards (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Raced on inside, held up last, closer on outside approaching 8th, 2nd going well and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, ridden and held soon after last, eased close home, 2nd of 8, 2l behind No Comment (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) sft in Jan.
Another Venture (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased clear leader, closer before 3 out, chased new leader after 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, clear from last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Mixchievous (10-8) by 2l, 9 ran.
Prime Venture (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, went 4th at the last, kept on run-in, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Westendorf (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up behind, headway 8th, struggling after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Gaitway 1-2fav (11-6) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, led just after last, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gd in Feb beating Touch Kick (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Man From Mars 12-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Burbank (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Touch Kick (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led, hung badly left approaching 4th, wandered under pressure 2 out, headed just after last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Gaitway (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gd in Feb.
Cash Again (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace after next, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind The Mighty Don (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) gs in Feb.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, every chance when hit last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Chelsea Flyer (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Lithic (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, tracked leaders after 4 out, poised to challenge on inside after next, led going well 2 out, drew clear from last, unextended, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Walsingham Grange (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Wylde Magic (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, slow 2nd, mistake 3 out, headway approaching next, staying on same pace when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Theatre Act (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
