towards rear, headway before 3 out, joined leader and ridden 2 out, 1 length down last, kept on, just held
chased leaders, mistake 4th and unseated rider
led, reduced lead and joined before 3 out, ridden and struggling soon after
took keen hold, towards rear, going well 3 out, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on run in, just did enough
towards rear of mid-division, pushed along 4 out, kept on for modest 4th run in
midfield, headway and led 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed before last, no extra run in
NonRunner
Playful Saint, a winner in France back in 2018, hasn't run since second at Fontainebleau three years ago but wouldn't have been sent here unless fit enough. Jante Law completed a Hexham double last spring and returns after a long break so the race-fitness of FONTANA ELLISSI may prove decisive. The winner of a Ffos Las handicap early last month, he just failed to follow up in a Class 2 handicap at Taunton and has only been raised 1lb. Chti Balko hasn't won since December 2020 but is 12lb lower as a consequence and won't mind the conditions.
Albert's Back 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, dropped to rear 2 out (usual 3 out), plugged on one pace into fourth flat, 4th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Stainsby Girl (11-0) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Jante Law 5-2 (11-6) Made all, 3 lengths ahead last, ridden clear, unchallenged, won at Hexham 2m (4) gs in May beating Nobby (11-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Chti Balko (FR) 17-2 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace from last, held on for distant 2nd, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Red Risk (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Playful Saint (FR) (11-7) 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Fou Du Bresil (11-0) at Fontainebleau 2m 2f gd in Mar.
Fontana Ellissi (FR) 9-4fav (10-2) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 5th, closed next, unable to quicken 2 out, rallied and went 2nd flat, stayed on, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Ajero (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
McGowan's Pass 5-1 (10-9) Led and raced wide, headed after 4 out, lost two places turning in, went remote 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 28 1/2l behind Stainsby Girl (10-9) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Minella Charmer (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led, headed after 3 out, well behind when jumped left 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Sacre Pierre (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
