raced in close 3rd, left 2nd after 3rd, dropped to 3rd before next, rallied to lead turning in, headed 3 out, chased winner, well held and no impression from last
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd before 4th, pushed along out wide before 3 out, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, led between last two, came clear from last
tracked leader, left in lead after 3rd, headed 11th, weakened before 3 out, left remote 4th at the last, kept on into modest 3rd closing stages
raced wide, left in 3rd place after 3rd, 2nd before next, led 11th until pushed along and headed turning in, lost 2nd 2 out, ridden in 3rd between last two, weakened into 4th closing stages
held up off the pace in rear, closer in 5th at 12th, struggling in modest 4 when fell last
led until unseated rider after 3rd
never travelled in last pair, mistake and reminder 8th, bit closer in 5th before 11th, tailed off
held up in last trio, blundered and behind 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
NonRunner
All of these have questions to answer with O‘Faolains Lad having a first run since October 2021. Cobra Commander is 17lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago and has shown little this season while Bal Amie has been off the track for six months. Milanford has yet to win under Rules but is eased in grade and Furkash has placed three times this term. Imperial Joe likes it here so has to go on the shortlist but the maiden MEXICAN BOY gets another chance to prove he stays this trip in another modest handicap.
Milanford (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Led after 1st, headed 9th, lost 2nd 5 out, chased leaders, ridden along and weakened before next, tailed off when bad mistake 3 out, eased, last of 8, dist behind Foxboro (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Imperial Joe (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 27 1/2l behind Rock Of Star (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Furkash (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Chased winner, jumped left 12th, no impression from next, kept on, 2nd of 11, 34l behind Kestrel Valley (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Cobra Commander (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened after 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Mexican Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Towards rear, fell 13th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
O'Faolains Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Prominent in chasing group, every chance when badly hampered by loose horse bypassing omitted 3 out, soon chasing leader, led narrowly and hampered by loose horse at the last, driven out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gf in Oct beating Jony Max (11-6) by 1l, 11 ran.
Advantura (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, weakened quickly before 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 10th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Botus Fleming 40-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost ground and pushed along after 12th, struggling and tailed off 4 out, 5th of 12, dist behind Leading Knight (10-9) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Bal Amie (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, shaken up after 12th, lost ground and hit 14th, struggling 4 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Atakan (12-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
