led until before 9th, weakened approaching 12th, tailed off
never going that well in rear, blundered 3rd and a little detached, well behind when blundered 12th, soon pulled up
in touch on inside, lost place when blundered 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off next, soon pulled up
held up in touch in rear, closed 5th, challenged 12th, driven and every chance flat, held final 75 yards
pressed leader, led before 9th, headed when blundered 10th, mistake 12th, well held 4th from 13th
tracked leaders, challenged 9th, led 10th, headed before 12th, soon led again but pressed, driven approaching last, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, pushed along briefly 8th, headway 10th, led before 12th, close up 4 out, no impression after next, well held 3rd before 2 out
Sun Cloud has been more like his old self lately and is well treated on his best form, though was pulled up when the luckless Azure Fly finished third over 4m at Musselburgh last month. After Hours could not have got any closer at Hereford last time but is another who struggles to get his head in front. Saroque is also on a long losing run while Cyclop probably needs more of a stamina test. REGAL FLOW was desperately unlucky at Wincanton three weeks ago as he was in front and appeared to have the measure of the eventual winner when blundering badly and unseating Sean Houlihan three out - compensation awaits here with a clear round.
Russe Blanc (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Rear division, weakened from 16th, pulled up before 17th, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Tracked leader, took keen hold, ridden and every chance before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Raktiman (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Azure Fly (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, headed next, weakened before last, 3rd of 13, 5 1/2l behind Dancing Shadow (10-9) at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
After Hours (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 12th, ridden between last 2, joined last, pressed run-in, caught post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Crown Hill (11-5) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Cyclop (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon behind and outpaced, left disputing modest 2nd at last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 14 1/4l behind Court Frontier (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Regal Flow 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led briefly 11th, led again when bumped 14th, 1 1/2 lengths ahead when virtually fell and unseated rider 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Saroque (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Towards rear, and in touch, led before 8th, headed before 10th, led 5 out, headed next, challenging when left 2nd 3 out, soon every chance, no extra from last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Purcell's Bridge (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.