made most, not fluent 4 out, ridden out
tracked leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 10th, ridden and weakened 4 out
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 4 out, one pace and lost 2nd approaching last, no extra flat and just held on to 3rd
close up, tracked leaders halfway, ridden 4 out, driven and stayed on to press for 3rd towards finish
in touch in rear, headway 5 out, outpaced and dropped to rear next, rallied approaching last, stayed on towards finish
mainly tracked winner, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch in rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, chased winner last, stayed on towards finish
It’s a surprise to see Absolutely Dylan back in action relatively quickly as he appeared to go wrong at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago. Wilberdragon has an absence to overcome but Flowery carried his good form in hurdles over to fences at Sedgefield and there should be more to come. Astracad ended a long losing run at Newcastle and the runner-up franked the form on Wednesday but Lough Salt may find a further drop in trip against him. HENRY’S JOY has been very consistent since having a sighter over fences. He wasn’t beaten far over 3m at Musselburgh last time and reverts to his winning distance in this.
Flowery (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Held up, headway to lead 4th, drew clear after 2 out, easily (2 fences omitted), won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Quest For Life (11-8) by 15l, 6 ran.
Wilberdragon 4-1 (11-9) Several slow jumps, chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, pushed along and lost 3rd 10th, reminders and weakened 12th, behind and awkward next, 5th of 6, 26 1/4l behind Buster Thomas (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Henry's Joy (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Elmono (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Lough Salt (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Caraline (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Absolutely Dylan (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, disputed lead until mistake 12th, rallying when quickly pulled up before 3 out, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Astracad (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, led approaching last, all out, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Iskabeg Lane (11-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Crest 12-1 (11-9) Chased leading pair, pushed along and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Minella For Me (11-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
