held up in 6th and off the pace, pushed along from 11th, never on terms, tailed off
close up, mistake 5th, went 3rd before 11th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace before next
not much room when mistake and unseated rider 1st
close up, 4th when hit 11th, weakened 4 out, beaten when blundered 2 out
chased leading pair, went 2nd 10th, blundered 12th, ridden next, held when not fluent 3 out, beaten when blundered next
slight lead until after 3rd, chased winner until 10th, stayed in 3rd until weakened rapidly soon after, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
tendency to jump left, with leader until led after 3rd, clear 3 out, stayed on well
badly hampered 1st, in rear and never on terms after, tailed off
Despite finishing last of four finishers, ERZEN wasn't beaten far when making his chasing debut in a Grade 2 at Newbury in November. Venetia Williams' yard is in much better form now and it would be no surprise to see the six-year-old get his head in front today against opposition that has a bit to prove now. Patsy Finnegan tries a longer trip after getting outpaced over 2m5f at Huntingdon and Kempton, while Earth Planet was just starting to feel the pinch when unseating his rider here three weeks ago and looks held by Persian Run. Fin Vin De Leu ran well at Market Rasen last month, however, and could go well along with winning pointer Gotoyourplay.
Ballydonagh (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chall gng wl 3 out; 4th when mist last; pu lame flat, in a race won by Yeabut (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp in Apr '08, 15 ran.
Earth Planet (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven and every chance when fell 3 out, in a race won by Lake Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Erzen (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Chased leading trio, not fluent 10th, hampered next, close up and disputing 3rd when blundered 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 5, 11l behind Cois Farraig (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Gotoyourplay (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Chd ldrs, 3rd 6out, 2nd 5out, ld brfly 3out, hdd 2out & 1l 2nd but btn last, no ex, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Twin Joy (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp sft in Dec.
Patsy Finnegan 6-4fav (11-0) Raced on insde, tracked leaders in 4th, challenged 11th, 3rd before 3 out, ridden and every chance when blundered and stumbled 2 out, rallied flat to 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Feb.
Persian Run (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed 3 out, soon rallied and every chance, led again last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Lake Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Fin Vin de Leu (GER) 11-2 (10-5) Pressed winner, challenged and hit 3 out, led narrowly next, headed after last, hung right and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Iheardu (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Always in rear, mistake 4th, tailed off 7th, 5th of 7, well behind Dinarius (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chase (3) sft in Feb.
