chased leaders, ridden and not fluent last, no extra last 100 yards
led, headed after 3 out, regained lead approaching next, headed over a half a furlong out, weakened towards finish
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, just held
towards rear, reminders after 7th, pushed along approaching next, never dangerous
close up, lost place approaching 8th
towards rear, tailed off when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 8th, soon outpaced, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, led over a half furlong out, all out
prominent, led after 3 out, soon headed, blundered last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 9th, kept on from last
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 9th
in rear, never dangerous
A nightmare of race to round off the card and HERE'S JOHNNY is only a sporting selection ahead of Chaim and Stage Acclaim. The last named can make the running and would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead. His wins have been very well spread out, though. And supporting the five-year-old cannot be strongly recommended in such a competitive finale. Chaim carries 7lb extra for comfortably wining at Towcester last month. That was a smooth performance but it can never be guaranteed that he will turn up in the same frame of mind twice in a row. Others worth a look include: Earcomesthedream, who is good form but also has an extra burden to carry as a result, while Elusive Muse is capable of improvement and shouldn't be underestimated. However, the top weight (naturally) appeals as the most consistent performer on show and, having won with a bit in hand at Exeter last time out; the burden may not be an insurmountable burden to Here's Johnny now his confidence is on a high.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led 13th, headed 4 out, regained lead 2 out, stayed on dourly, ridden out, won at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar beating Theatre Diva (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Pressed leader until not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 15, 24l behind Willandrich (9-13) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Chaim (IRE) 6-1fav (10-11) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway when mistake 7th, led approaching 2 out, well clear before last, easily, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar beating Ballyvesey (10-11) by 12l, 13 ran.
Aqualung (FR) 12-1 (11-4) In rear, effort 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 26l behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, weakened after 9th, 8th of 13, well behind Quinz (10-10) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Callerlilly 33-1 (11-10) Pressed leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 14, 25l behind Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Bally Conn (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, plugged on after 4 out, never in contention, 7th of 17, 42l behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Kristoffersen 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, hit 6th, outpaced after 9th, went 4th and stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 13, 23l behind Quinz (10-10) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Mr Mackay 9-1 (11-8) Led until 3rd, pressed leader, ridden after 9th, every chance 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Sona Sasta (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Cherry Flora 11-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and mistake approaching 9th, went poor 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Evella (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Elusive Muse 11-2 (10-7) Led, clear 3rd until after 6th, not fluent 8th, jumped left next, headed 3 out, lost 2nd when not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 19l behind Cannington Brook (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along briefly after 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Festival Dreams (10-9) by 10l, 13 ran.
Ballamusic (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, struggling 8th, 8th of 15, 36l behind Willandrich (9-13) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Prominent, challenged 6th, led and not fluent 9th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 17, 14l behind Master Eddy (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Captain Becket 50-1 (10-3) Raced keenly, led until approaching 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Magnifico (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 15 ran.
Kyoto (GER) 11-2 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 15l behind Michigan Assassin (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
