chased leaders, dropped to rear after 6th, not fluent 3 out, headway to challenge before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go third flat
in touch, not fluent 3rd, prominent 6th, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance when hampered before last, lost third flat
held up in rear, took closer order 7th, headway to lead 2 out, hung left approaching last, ran on well flat, faced strong challenge final 50yds, just held on, disqualified and placed 2nd for causing interference
led, ridden and headed 2 out, bumped by rival approaching last, stayed on well to challenge flat, just failed, finished 2nd, placed 1st
NonRunner
NonRunner
Astigar has been very lightly raced but last month’s course and distance runner-up Hititi makes more appeal. HARDY BOY (NAP) usually attracts market support and has won a couple of times. He was only caught in the shadows of the post last time at Kempton and, despite a 3lb rise, can go one better here. Sandalwood may do better now handicapping with Just Go For It and Mikhailovich also worth a second look.
Astigar (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, steady headway out wide turning in, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 37 1/2l behind Top Of The Bill (12-0) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Sandalwood (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 26 1/2l behind The King Of Ryhope (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f mdn (4) gs in Feb.
Rebel Intentions (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In rear, pulled up before 7th, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Noble Savage (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Prominent, led after 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed next, soon no extra, 6th of 17, 9 3/4l behind Half The Freedom (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Just Go For It 11-2 (10-8) Held up off the pace towards rear, never in the race, 6th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Lightonthewing (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Hititi (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Prominent, led 7th, headed 9th, led before 2 out, headed just after last, held towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Caspers Court (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Hardy Boy (FR) 10-3 (11-8) Led, hit 6th, mistake 2 out, headed approaching the last, rallied run-in, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Sami Bear (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Mikhailovich (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, closer at 6th, plugged on into remote 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 17 3/4l behind Holetown Hero (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
