tracked leader until 8f out, soon pushed along and outpaced, plugged on again final 2f, went 4th post
chased leaders, 2nd over 3f out, led 1f out, ran on well, ridden out
held up in rear, never on terms
chased leaders, 2nd 8f out, led 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
held up in last pair, plugged on one pace in 4th final 2f, lost 4th post
held up in last trio, pushed along and one pace in 4th over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
An interesting finale featuring a few potentially-useful newcomers. Gunfleet is a son of Oscar and a half-brother to stayer Silver Eagle - he should be worth following when going hurdling. Mark Fahey has sent Black Hercules’ half-brother TOURBOY across from County Kildare to make his racecourse debut and he’s preferred to Pyrios and Mahlermade. Of those with experience, Solomon Grey should be winning soon having finished close up at Ludlow and Huntingdon while winning pointer Talkischeap has been placed so far under Rules at Warwick and Newbury. Arakhan made it third-time lucky at Carlisle in February but might struggle on this less demanding course under a penalty.
Arakhan 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon led, hard pressed inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Feb beating Point Of Principle (11-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gunfleet (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Lady Lincon.
Sand Strip 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Enniscoffey Oscar (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (6) fst in Feb.
Solomon Grey (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Maria's Benefit (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Mar.
Talkischeap (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-2) Held up, headway towards inside chasing leaders over 4f out, 3rd inside final 2f, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind Sam Brown (11-9) at Newbury 2m (5) sft in Mar.
Tourboy (IRE) Whitmore's Conn gelding out of Annalecky.
Mahlermade (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Double Concerto.
Pyrios (FR) Heliostatic gelding out of Nuance Tartare.
Cobalt Marthen (FR) Balko gelding out of Hellen Marthen.