led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed close home
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and hit next, kept on one pace
not fluent at times, close up, tracked leader 3 out, joined leader next, hit last and lost momentum, rallied to lead close home
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon behind
in touch, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders
in rear, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, never nearer
close up, lost place 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
Applaus was in decent form at the end of last year but may struggle in this higher grade. The going has turned against Chti Balko and Diodorus has been well beaten in both handicaps he’s contested. Haafapiece finished second in a decent contest over course and distance in November and had just hit the front when falling at the last at Cheltenham next time. He’s been given plenty of time to recover but the handicapper has seen fit to put him up a further 2lb. Saint Arvans seeks a first victory away from Kelso and could struggle against a couple of up-and-coming handicap debutants. SHANTOU EXPRESS (NAP) couldn’t cope against the likes of My Drogo and Soaring Glory in a Grade 2 at Ascot last time but he faces nothing of that calibre today and can resume winning ways ahead of Pay The Piper, who is looking to extend an unbeaten record under Rules.
Chti Balko (FR) 80-1 (11-3) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Shantou Express (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 18 1/4l behind My Drogo (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Haafapiece 18-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 2 out, led narrowly when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Pay The Piper (IRE) 15-8 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, led last, edged left flat, hard pressed, held on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb beating Castle Rushen (12-0) by ns, 11 ran.
Countister (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Prominent, lost place before 5th, well beaten next, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Corrieben Reiver (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Da Vinci Hand (IRE) (10-12) won at Nancy 2m 3f gd in Sep beating Fleuve D'ajonc (10-10) by 2l, 8 ran.
Saint Arvans (FR) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, switched wide and travelling well after 3 out, made challenge and disputed lead 2 out, quickened clear run to the last, extended advantage run-in, won at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Getaway Gerry (10-3) by 7l, 9 ran.
Diodorus (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch in chasing group, ridden omitted 3 out, chased clear leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace and lost 3rd at last, 4th of 7, 31 1/4l behind Laskadine (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Applaus (GER) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Orkan (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
