always in the rear
held up mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden out
tracked leader, weakened after 4th
mid-division, lost place 3rd
tracked leaders and going well, led approaching 3 out, 6 lengths clear when fell 2 out
in rear and keen, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, left in lead 2 out, soon headed and one pace
held up, ridden 4th, some progress and one pace
always in the rear, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden 4th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden 4th, stayed on, not trouble front 3
ridden and headed 3 out, faded last
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway and many have chances on their best form but the main protagonists look to be First Slip, Moon Star and It's Rumoured and the narrow vote is given to First Slip. The selection enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and under conditions that suit he looks the one to on with his yard continuing in good form. Moon Star rates the main danger on his latest third behind Final Bid but he has looked a short runner in the past and is taken on with this in mind. It's Rumoured won well last time out when beating Silistra, that horse has since franked the form and despite his penalty he will not be far away. Ceoperk is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable under his big weight. Of the remainder Nick's Choice has conditions to suit and could go well at a price but he is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to First Slip.
Ceoperk (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) In touch, hampered 4 out, chased leaders soon after, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Theatre Diva (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
It's Rumoured 20-1 (11-9) Made virtually all, headed briefly 2 out, kept on well, all out, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Silistra (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Nick's Choice 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on to go 3rd from last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Saunders Road (10-10) at Taunton 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Moon Star (GER) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Final Bid (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
First Slip 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, last of 4, well behind Pancake (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Queen Tara 66-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, headway to chase leader 2 out, effort to lead last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb beating Explode (10-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Jolly Boy (FR) 11-1 (11-9) In rear, reminders after 3rd, improved to go remote 3rd at 12th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Its Crucial (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Brave Dane (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Reluctanct to race, came to a stop on landing pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Jacaranda (11-6) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
