held up last on inside, steady headway to 4th before 2 out, no impression
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened to 3rd before last
held up in touch in 5th, went handy 3rd travelling well 3 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, stayed on to 2nd before last, no chance with unchallenged winner
raced wide in last pair, dropped to rear and struggling 3 out, tailed off
chased leading trio, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, soon eased, tailed off
made all, in command when edged left after 2 out, heavily eased towards finish, unchallenged
towards rear, awkward 2nd, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, hung right and weakened before next
took keen hold, chased winner until after 3rd, chased leadrs until went left and lost place 5th, soon behind, eased, tailed off
The novice Monarch's Way has won two of his last three starts and appears on an upward curve. He has solid claims here while Special Robon showed promise on his first start for Venetia Williams at Ludlow and, though a couple of Cheltenham entries look optimistic, will strip fitter here. Aine's Delight likes it here but, like Rajamand, may need this and Qalinas has had a year off. David Pipe also runs the maiden Shallow Bay but Bold Adventure is just as interesting if building on a recent second at Fontwell. GRANDIOSO has been a beaten favourite in both starts over hurdles but begins his career in handicaps on a potentially lenient mark and may be worth another chance.
Aine's Delight (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up, took keen hold, headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, ridden flat, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Combustible Lady (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Nov.
Grandioso (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 21l behind Theatre Guide (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Monarch's Way 6-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, blundered 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Speed Steed (11-2) by 1l, 17 ran.
Qalinas (FR) 5-6fav (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway on inner before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, disputing 2nd and looking held when fell last, in a race won by Ubi Ace (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar '11, 11 ran.
Special Robon (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, no impression 2 out, weakened last, 11th of 14, 20l behind Tayarat (9-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Rajamand (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Raced wide and keen in touch, mistake 5th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, weakened before next, well beaten when hit last, 8th of 9, 50l behind Kadouchski (10-3) at Sandown 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Feb '11.
Bold Adventure 9-2 (10-11) Raced wide tracking leaders, steady headway to 3rd from 3 out, went 2nd before next, led soon after 2 out, driven afte rlast, headed towards finish, rallied hung right and bumped winner close home, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Sircozy (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Knox Overstreet 66-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 12th of 13, 38l behind Dreambrook Lady (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Shallow Bay 13-2 (11-9) Held up behind, reminder after 2nd, struggling before 4 out, headway under pressure next, kept on same pace from 2 out, never reached leaders, 4th of 8, 20l behind Bendant (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
