tracked leader, led 3 out, clear last, kept on well
held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out
held up behind, weakened before 4 out, fell last
led, headed 3 out, one pace and no impression on winner from 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 2 out, no impression
held up behind, struggling from halfway, pulled up before 5 out
Favourite backers have had plenty of joy in this race in the past and it looks difficult to oppose APRIL DUSK on this occasion. The Warren Greatrex inmate won a point to point at Ballybunion on soft ground last year and though unsuccessful under Rules, the handicapper has seen enough to hand him a rating of 125. Rushvale took his chance in a valuable bumper at Aintree last season having scored at Down Royal and could conceivably improve for the switch back to more testing ground. Pantoloni was offloaded cheaply by Godolphin having made two starts on the Flat and he gave his rider an uncomfortable time on debut at Towcester. Of the remainder, Blue Cove searches for his elusive first victory at the 24th time of asking.
April Dusk (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Disputed lead to 5th, outpaced in 3rd after 2 out (usual 4 out), kept on to press for 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Driftashore (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Blue Cove 15-2 (10-0) In rear, outpaced 3 out, headway after 2 out, kept on and went 3rd from last, went 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Heart O Annandale (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in May.
Pantoloni 100-1 (10-12) In rear and keen, unseated rider 3rd, at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Rushvale (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) In rear and in touch, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 6, 17 1/4l behind Political Quiz (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Zephyros Bleu (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost action and pulled up over 3f out, at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Ochiltree Lady 200-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 14, dist behind Greenlaw (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in Oct.
