mid-division on outside, ridden and weakened after 4 out
ran in snatches, chased leaders, reminders after 1st, pushed along after 3 out, weakened on long run before next
last pair, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 4th, never on terms
mid-division on inside, good headway chasing leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, pushed along and chased new leader 2 out until between last 2, 3rd and held when hit last, weakened run-in
raced keenly, always towards rear, ridden and tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in last pair, not fluent 3rd, headway on inside before 2 out, went right last, kept on run-in pressing for 2nd but no chance with winner
chased leader, led approaching 4th, hit next, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
held up in last trio, smooth headway between horses before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led before hit last and pecked, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in
led until reduced lead and headed approaching 4th, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened before next
NonRunner
Trans Express is an Exeter specialist but was behind Stormy Flight and Dan McGrue there last time. Bard Of Brittany carries a penalty for last week’s Doncaster victory and is taking on stronger opposition here. There is no reason why GLOBAL FAME won’t handle this better ground and he seems best on stiff tracks so Fergal O’Brien’s charge gets the nod to make it third-time lucky in handicaps ahead of the hat-trick seeking Pol Crocan, who still has stamina to prove over this trip. The consistent Adicci may pose a bigger threat but Fearless is in danger of becoming disappointing.
Commanche Red (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Prominent, led 8th, headed and weakened quickly from 3 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Polish (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Nordano (GER) 80-1 (11-9) In rear, lost touch 7th, pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Goa Lil (FR) 9-1 (11-4) With leader, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened quickly, 10th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Before Midnight (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Adicci (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, closed on outside 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 8 1/2l behind First Lord De Cuet (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Global Fame (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Led until 1st, chased leader until 4th, not clear run before 3 out, soon pushed along, switched right before 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Gustavian (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Pol Crocan (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Always handy, ridden before 2 out, led last, edged left flat, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Feb beating Blumen Glory (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.
Stormy Flight (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, disputing 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd when dived through 2 out, well held last, 3rd of 9, 24 1/2l behind And The New (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Fearless (IRE) 9-4fav (12-2) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Serious Ego (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Bard Of Brittany 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, quickened clear flat, ran on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating The Knot Is Tied (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 15 ran.
Trans Express (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Led until pushed along and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Bear Ghylls (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Dan McGrue (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outside, lost place 4 out, headway 3 out, 4th and well held before 2 out, very tired and lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 9, 36 3/4l behind And The New (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
