led, ridden and headed on long run before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd outpaced and no chance with leading duo, hit 2 out, weakened between last 2
jumped moderately, went badly right 1st, always in rear, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 4th, disputing lead and every chance on long run to 2 out, outpaced by winner 2 out, kept on for 2nd
chased leading pair, hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear easily
took keen hold, chased leader until 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, plugged on before 2 out, went modest 3rd before last
held up in 5th, blundered 2 out, went poor 4th before last
always behind, tailed off
It's disappointing that Shallow Bay hasn't managed a win so far over hurdles and he may do better when the ground dries out a little. It took Solaras Exhibition six attempts to get off the mark over hurdles and soft ground here could be a problem under a penalty so we'll take KINGS LAD to make a winning start to his career over timber. Successful in a bumper here in March, he has a jumping pedigree and should do well in this sphere. Meganisi and Head Spin have hinted at ability and may be worth noting for future reference.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 5-4fav (10-8) Made all, soon clear, hit 3rd and next, reduced lead and hit 3 out, hit next, went right and hit last, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Winning Spark (10-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Ilewin For Hannah Generous gelding out of Ilewin Janine.
Kings Lad (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 3rd over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Whisky Yankee (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Meganisi (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, jumped left and mistake 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, losing place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 29l behind Court In Session (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Rhinestone Rebel (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, went well held 2nd soon after, lost 2nd before and weakened next, tailed off, 4th of 15, well behind Jump City (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
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.
Head Spin (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 15, well behind Fighting Flynn (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Tommy Tiger 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, well behind Howard's Legacy (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Apr.