tracked leaders, fell 4th
led until 4th, chased leader, ridden 8th, rallied before omitted last, led flat, stayed on
behind, left 3rd at the 4th, soon very remote
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden before omitted last, headed flat, one pace
soon outpaced and behind, left 4th at the 4th, soon very remote
Al Reesha has barely raised a gallop since winning at Fakenham in the autumn and it’s not certain a switch to fences will spark a revival. WHITSUNDAYS has gone up a couple of pounds since his second here a couple of weeks ago but is the most likely winner having already won here over hurdles. Don Franco has only run 11 times under Rules but has already had five trainers. Nelly La Rue is a very modest pointer and Hi Dancer is a 14-year-old having just his second start over fences since 2009.
Al Reesha (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Pretty Rose (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Whitsundays (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Chasma (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Don Franco (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Twrds rr, 8l off ldr 4th 1/2way, lost tch final circuit, cto, 4th of 5, dist behind Cavite Beta (12-2) at Maralin 3m hvy in Mar.
Hi Dancer 10-1 (11-0) With leader, led before 9th, headed before last, weakened and lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Spread Boy (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Nelly La Rue (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) A.p; led aft 15 til hdd aft 2 out; no ex, 2nd of 10, 5l behind My Lady West (11-7) at Dalston 3m hvy in Mar.