chased leader from 1st, not fluent 7th, led before 2 out, soon clear, not fluent last, easily
led until before 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
mid-division, closed 4th, 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home
chased leader until slow 1st, 3rd after, ridden 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied and switched left last, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
held up in rear, headway on outside after 6th, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten
not jump well in rear, behind 7th, pulled up after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 6th, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 6th, not fluent and outpaced 4 out, lost touch after next, tailed off
It’s a while since PERSPICACE showed any worthwhile form but most of his opponents are in the same boat. He still has the highest rating of these and, eased in grade, is probably the one to beat in a poor seller. Lava Lamp has an absence to overcome but good ground suits and he’s capable of making the frame. Conditions are also in favour of Ice Konig, who would have claims on last summer’s form, but Craiganee needs further and his only previous victory came on going with some give.
Perspicace 28-1 (10-0) Dwelt, held up in touch, soon tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 9 1/2l behind Bracken Brae (10-0) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Craiganee (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Led until before 4th, lost handy place 9th, mistake and weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, dist behind Another Frontier (11-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Ice Konig (FR) 22-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 3 out, in 4th before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 21 1/2l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Lava Lamp (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until 6 out, soon pushed along and in rear, pulled up before 4 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Vayland 18-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, struggling 4th, lost touch when pulled up before next, at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cordey Warrior 100-1 (11-5) Blundered 1st, last pair, never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Air Horse One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Chicksgrove Sprite (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, mistake and lost place 5th, behind from 3 out, 6th of 8, 32 1/2l behind Dun Bay Creek (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun.
Sky of Stars (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, jumped right 1st, not fluent 4th, lost place before slow 5th, soon behind, last of 15, dist behind Ridgeway Flyer (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Feb.