led to 4th, led again approaching 8th to 9th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit 2 out
in touch, pushed along 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear last, ridden out
held up and keen, mistake 7th, effort and hit 8th, soon weakened
pulled hard, soon in touch, lost place after 3rd, behind from next
prominent and keen, led and jumped right 4th, hit 6th, headed approaching 8th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, behind when mistake last
in touch, ridden after 9th, kept on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
hit 3rd and 9th, always behind
chased leaders, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
prominent to 9th
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
Brankley Boy can land the opener from Blu Teen, Sonnengold, Emmasflora and What A Vintage. The opening race looks quite competitive, but Brankley Boy may have what it takes to continue Nicky Henderson's good week. The son of Afzan has not been out of the first two in six career starts, including when third to Temoin in handicap company on his latest outing. He was attempting to give weight to both the winner and the second Oscatello that day, and both have franked the form handsomely since then, so he must have major claims as long as he handles the testing ground. Blu Teen was very unlucky not to collect at Chepstow in December but made amends at Lingfield next time. The race was not run to suit him at Sandown next time but that was in hot company, and as we know that he handles today's underfoot conditions he looks the main danger. The mare Sonnengold does as well, but she has more to do than at Lingfield, while Emmasflora has bags of experience but does not win too often. What A Vintage is going the right way but is really a chaser in the making, and for the winner we return to Brankley Boy.
Blu Teen (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, last of 5, 12l behind Senorita Rumbalita (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Brankley Boy 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway to chase trio from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Temoin (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 8th, upsides when left in lead 2 out, soon in command, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Palm Island (11-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Call Out (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, tracked leaders until weakened 7th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Before Dark (11-9) at Exeter 3m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Chapel Times (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, disputed lead from over 4f out, narrow advantage from 2f out, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in May '04 beating Bonny Grey (11-1) by a nk, 15 ran.
Emmasflora 16-1 (11-3) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Wild Chimes (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Go Harvey Go (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 13l behind Royal Stardust (10-9) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Feb '05.
Marshalls Run (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed final furlong, not quicken, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Cockspur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Sonnengold (GER) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway from 4th, chased leaders 3 out, led soon after 2 out, drew well clear before last, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Koral Bay (10-9) by 7l, 14 ran.
What A Vintage (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before last, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
