chased leader, took it up 4 out with good jump, increased tempo 2 out, clear last when mistake, never in any danger flat
led, ridden and headed 4 out, rallied to press leader again 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened 2 out
THE RUSSIAN DOYEN beat a subsequent winner on soft going at Newbury to end a losing run and, though upped 7lb, is still getting 6lb from Torpillo, who has been raised a pound for finishing second at Sandown. The winner that day has been well beaten since. Glajou has only run twice in the last 12 months but is starting to look well treated as is Financier, though the latter has been disappointing this season.
Torpillo (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Raced on inside, tracked winner until before 4th, remained handy, jumped slowly 6th, went 2nd again 8th, dropped to 3rd briefly before 3 out, ridden and held when not fluent last, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Douglas Talking (10-4) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Financier 7-2 (11-12) Not fluent 1st in rear, went into 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 5, 23 1/4l behind Prince Escalus (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
The Russian Doyen (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leader out wide at 3rd (water) until lost 2nd briefly 9th, led between last two, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Doukarov (11-6) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Glajou (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 8th, headed 4 out, pushed along home turn, gradually faded, 5th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Quoi De Neuf (11-5) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.