tracked leader, mistake 4 out, every chance 2 out, led approaching and not fluent last, hung left closing stages, ran on
held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, under pressure before next, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven after 3 out, kept on under pressure
keen, held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
led, hard driven when challenged 2 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages
prominent, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
A competitive opener in which Bryony Frost partners useful Polytrack performer Petite Jack, who has been lightly raced over timber. Texan Nomad won here in January and got back to winning ways last time at Taunton. The four-year-old Mercer's Troop might have more to offer but Nachi Falls has become disappointing. HATTAAB, placed at Southwell and Exeter since joining Henry Oliver, may handle conditions better than most so gets a tentative vote.
Petite Jack 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leader until 13f out, stayed handy, not much room and lost place over 2f out, tried to close on inside over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Watersmeet (9-5) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Apr.
Texan Nomad 17-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, good headway 3 out, chased leaders soon after, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Micras (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Hattaab 2-1fav (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, headway on outside approaching 3 out, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Here's Herbie (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Nachi Falls 6-4fav (11-7) Always behind, 13th of 15, dist behind Cardigan Bay (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Rowley Park (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, beaten next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 33 3/4l behind Jacamar (10-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Mercer's Troop (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Oscar Nomination (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.