close up in 4th until ridden and outpaced 3 out, tailed off
made all, ridden 2 out, ran on strongly
chased winner, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
close up in 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced by leading pair
Michael Heard steered CLASSICAL ART to a dead-heat over 2m1f here at the beginning of the month and almost to a follow-up at Exeter last week, where his mount was caught on the line. He loves fast going and can get back to winning ways. His stablemate Northern Bay is another who will appreciate the conditions as he was in top form on good ground in September and has been racing exclusively on testing going subsequently. Separate Shadows has disappointed since his only victory to date in 2013 and has been a beaten favourite on his last two starts while it's over two years since Ladies Dancing last won a race and he's still on the same mark.
Northern Bay (GER) 11-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up and raced alone on inside for most of race, ridden 9th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Cresswell Breeze (11-7) at Taunton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Classical Art (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led until narrowly headed on long run before 2nd, led again narrowly 5th until reminder and headed 3 out, pressing winner and every chance when hung left under pressure run-in, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Vodka 'n Tonic (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Separate Shadows (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Behind, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Kilkenny Kim (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (5) gs in Mar.
Ladies Dancing 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before next until approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind After Eight Sivola (11-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
