led to 2nd, led again 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, no extra
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, kept on well
in rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, outpaced after 6th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up
always towards rear, weakened from 6th, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on run-in
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway before 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
This should provide Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson with a pre-Cheltenham boost via SMARTY WILD, who arrives unpenalised for an easy victory in a conditionals' race at Exeter last week and is likely to go up around 10lb from tomorrow. Silver Quay completed a course and distance double earlier this year though they were at Class 5 level and he was well beaten in this grade at Fontwell next time. Here's Herbie is the other track and trip winner in the line-up and he looks the main threat as his victory here in December was in a higher grade. Sparkleandshine hasn't had much racing and there was plenty to like about his recent placed effort behind Flashing Glance at Ludlow.
Sparkleandshine (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Raced wide, chased leading trio, closer 4 out, challenged in 2nd on outside 3 out, ridden and every chance run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Flashing Glance (12-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Smarty Wild 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon lost place but stayed in touch, closed before 3 out, 2nd from next, led last, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Midnight Midge (10-13) by 11l, 6 ran.
Caro Des Flos (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, in rear, behind when blundered 10th, pulled up 4 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Red Hanrahan (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Soon led, keen, headed 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Forecast (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Belize 3-1fav (11-11) Held up behind leaders on inside, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd when blundered 2 out, soon beaten, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Rhymers Stone (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Putting Green 8-1 (11-9) In touch, mistake 2 out (normal 3 out), soon ridden and weakened, pulled up on long run to the last, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Here's Herbie 10-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, led before 2 out, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Esprit De Somoza (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Pointed And Sharp (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took closer order 5th, in touch when stumbled and fell next, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Eur Gone West (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Corinto (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Valse Au Taillons (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, took closer order halfway, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, never a threat, 3rd of 4, 27l behind Another Theatre (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Waiheke 12-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 14, 22l behind Mr Magill (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Silver Quay (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 4th, hit 4 out, joined next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened between last 2, 8th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Ted Bach (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
