led until 10th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leader, challenged 9th, led next, clear 2 out, reduced lead flat, driven out
held up in rear, mistake 4th, mistake 10th, soon closed, 3rd when mistake 3 out, one pace
mid-division, headway before 5th, chased winner after 10th, closed flat, unable to challenge
mid-division, slow 2nd, mistake 6th, ridden and lost place after next, well behind after 10th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, dived at 1st, lost place 8th, weakened before 10th, pulled up approaching 3 out
towards rear, slow 3rd, headway after 10th, disputing one pace 4th 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway 9th, one pace and no impression 2 out, disputing modest 3rd when blundered last
held up in rear, slow 8th, remote 6th when mistake 3 out, never involved
NonRunner
An open contest in which GORES ISLAND is only a speculative choice. His last success arrived here on heavy ground back in 2015, since when he's continued to perform solidly without getting his head in front. He went nicely for his young rider when a good third at Sandown last month and the 10lb allowance claimed by William Clarke here boosts his claims significantly. Dusky Lark has finished runner-up on his last four outings and boasts place claims once again off an unchanged mark while Pilgrims Bay, Flaming Charmer and Rothman all command respect. The one to note in the market on his return to action is Vic De Touzaine. He hails from a very shrewd yard, has a heavy ground success to his name and is open to plenty of improvement.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Raced wide, chased leader until 11th, chased leaders, weakening when mistake 14th, pulled up before 16th, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Oscar Sunset (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Led until blundered and headed 2nd (water), tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, blundered next, lost 2nd approaching 5th, outpaced before 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 3, 28 3/4l behind Le Prezien (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Dusky Lark 6-4fav (12-3) Tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Somchine (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Pilgrims Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up behind, headway 11th, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd before next, ridden and one pace when flashed tail before 2 out, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Wild West Wind (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Vic De Touzaine (FR) 15-8fav (11-5) Held up, closed 6th, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Toby Lerone (11-10) by 8l, 5 ran.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, slow 3rd, towards rear when pecked 10th (becher's brook), mistake and unseated rider 13th (valentines), at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Ballygarvey (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Leader when field came into view 6th, headed when field came back into view briefly 4 out, soon outpaced, no chance in 3rd after, 3rd of 8, 34l behind Walk In The Mill (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Gores Island (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway into 2nd place after 9th, led before 3 out, headed run-in, finished tired, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Mercian Prince (11-11) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, joined 3 out, soon headed, ridden and no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Bishops Court (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Rothman (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, left in close 3rd 6th, went 2nd 11th until pushed along before 3 out, 2nd again approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression before the last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Foxtail Hill (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along 10th, tailed off from 5 out, pulled up, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
