towards rear, blundered 1st, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well
in rear, headway before 5 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed last, kept on
in touch in 4th, ridden 5 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out
held up mid-division, went 4th before last, one pace
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
behind, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
INSTANT KARMA (NAP) showed improved form on his handicap debut when scoring easily in this grade at Fakenham. A 12lb hike is reduced by Jack Sherwood's allowance and he's taken to go in again. Gin And Tonic was a long way behind the selection but has since boosted the form by returning to Fakenham and winning. He's penalised for that success while Clayton was set a tough task in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time and should fare better in this. The same comment applies to Robin Of Locksley while Draytonian is another expected to finish closer at this level having finished last in a Class 2 hurdle at Newcastle last time.
Template (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led until before 4th, mistake 3rd, weakened before next where another mistake, 5th of 7, dist behind Cotillion (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Robin Of Locksley (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along and weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off, 12th of 18, dist behind Barney Dwan (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Draytonian (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 5th, disputed lead next, ridden and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered last, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Zaidiyn (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Instant Karma (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-11) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon led, clear before last, ran on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Domtaline (11-7) by 8l, 14 ran.
Clayton 7-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd at 3rd, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened quickly between last two, 11th of 14, dist behind Flying Angel (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Bold Duke 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, left in lead 1st, headed after 3 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 9th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Thunder Sheik (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Pemba (FR) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, fell 3rd, at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along 5th, headway and close up 3 out, hung right before 2 out, 3rd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind Apterix (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Gin And Tonic 11-8fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders after 4 out, led on bit approaching last, pushed clear, easily, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Dylan's Storm (10-4) by 9l, 6 ran.
Distant Rain (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up, nudged along to press for places from 3 out, no chance with winner, 4th of 7, 8 1/2l behind The Gipper (11-13) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
