raced keenly tracking leaders on inside, left in 2nd paddock bend after 2nd until 4th, chased leading pair, driven and no impression between last two, hit last stumbled and lost 3rd
raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd at 4th, pushed along to lead approaching 2 out where not fluent, driven out
raced wide, held up tracking leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on into modest 3rd last
led until ran very wide paddock bend after 2nd, pulled up soon after
tracked leader, left in lead paddock bend after 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, switched left before the last, driven and stayed on run-in, just held
always last, never a factor, tailed off
Start In Front and Jilaijone are the most exposed and the latter was engaged in the 3.35 Exeter yesterday so a smallish field could be reduced further. Non Stop won on heavy going at Warwick in January and may have found the going too quick on a return visit, though was behind Penna Rossa and Havaila here earlier and is worse off at the weights with that pair. Tying The Knot was only fifth that day but went on to beat Jikala at Hereford. However, the French import should strip fitter today. SPIRIT D’AUNOU is improving with experience and looks the one to beat if he handles the heavy ground.
Non Stop (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, well held from 2 out, 7th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Mr Freedom (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Spirit D'aunou (FR) 10-11fav (11-7) Midfield, awkward 2nd, ridden and headway into 2nd before 3 out, pressed for lead 3 out, led before 2 out, 3 lengths clear approaching last, extended advantage run-in, won at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Javert Allen (11-7) by 8l, 10 ran.
Start In Front (FR) 16-5 (10-13) Led until after 1st, lost place before 3rd, closed 5th, not much room 2 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Bertie's Wish (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Penna Rossa (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, went clear after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Sandown 2m (2) sft in Dec beating Havaila (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Havaila (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led after 2nd, headed 5th, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 17, 21 3/4l behind Jet Marshall (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Jikala (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Chased leader until after 3rd, chased leaders, led after 3 out, pushed along turning in, headed approaching last, plugged on run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tying The Knot (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Jilaijone (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway out wide turning in, ridden and stayed on same pace in 3rd between last two, lost modest 3rd post, 4th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Beau Balko (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
