held up in last pair, closer order 3rd, promising headway on outside approaching 3 out, raced awkwardly and outpaced after 3 out, never able to get on terms after, jumped right last, went modest 4th run in
tracked leading trio, mistake and pushed along 4th, ridden and and weakened 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, led but pressed, headed after 2nd, pressed winner, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, chased leading pair, well held 2 out, no chance when mistake last, soon lost 3rd, weakened run in
raced keenly pressing leader, led after 2nd but pressed, hit 3rd, 2 lengths ahead when came to outside approaching 2 out, in command before last, stayed on well, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd until outpaced before 2 out, rallied to modest 3rd again soon after last, no chance with leading duo
held up in rear, closer order 3rd, chased winner soon after 3 out, not much room on outside but held when switched right between last 2, driven and kept on same pace run in
Another interesting puzzle to solve, despite the small field. Helium beat Chesil Beach Boy by a head at Taunton in January. There should be little between the pair again on today's terms but it's difficult to see third Moujik Borget reversing the form. Quaddick Lake is starting to come down the weights while Red Seventy has to be of interest on his handicap debut, though might do better on faster ground. DRAGON'S DEN would also prefer a quicker surface but appears to be running into form and has been dropped a further pound since his latest course and distance fourth - he gets the nod.
Chesil Beach Boy 7-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, headway to chase leaders 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with easy winner when lost 2nd before 2 out, left poor 3rd and hampered 2 out, soon driven, lost 3rd last, 4th of 6, 17l behind Virak (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Moujik Borget (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Prominent on inside, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and one pace before 2 out, no impression, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Helium (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 2nd, tanking along when mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Aldopicgros (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Red Seventy 7-2 (10-11) Chased leader, led 2nd, pushed along and headed before 3 out, chased winner, mistakes 3 out and next, no chance when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Mountain King (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Helium (FR) 11-2 (9-11) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd after 3rd until after next, chased leaders, badly outpaced before 3 out, rallied to poor 3rd and hit last, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Virak (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along in 6th after 3 out, stayed on to modest 4th between last 2, 4th of 12, 8l behind Aldopicgros (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.