led until 2nd, remained prominent, weakened before 3 out
behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge 2 out, staying on same pace when left in 3rd at last
chased leader, led 6th, mistake 3 out, strongly challenged when not fluent last, soon headed, no extra
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, staying on same pace in 3rd when fell last
held up, held up, weakened after 5th, mistake next, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon led, driven out, ran on (1 hurdle omitted)
mid-division, hit 2nd, slow 5th, soon lost place and in rear, pulled up before next
prominent, led 2nd, headed 6th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 4th, effort 2 out, held when left in 4th at last
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, under pressure after 3 out, never on terms
Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and Philip Hobbs have shared this out between them in recent years and all three have runners again. It’s no surprise to see the latter’s Wait For Me back over hurdles as he’s just lost a bit of confidence over fences but he is looking a few pounds too high. Persian Delight won over course and distance in February and possibly needed his run at Exeter while Saffron Wells has each-way claims, though the ground may be softer than ideal. Kevin Dowling gave BASTIEN a confident ride at Towcester and his mount was well on top at the finish. He obviously has more on his plate here with a 10lb rise but may be worth sticking with in his current mood. Boite wasn’t disgraced on the all-weather last month and will strip fitter here.
Different Gravey (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Chased leader until hit 9th, chased leaders, losing place and towards rear when blundered and eventually unseated rider 13th, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Wait For Me (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Never that fluent, held up last, mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, left modest 4th next, 4th of 5, 16l behind Elegant Escape (11-2) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Dec.
Boite (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Soldier In Action (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Bastien (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear last, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Who's My Jockey (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Zero Grand (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 13, 25l behind Red Rising (10-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Protek Des Flos (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Held up, blundered badly 5th, not fluent 10th, in touch when slow 10th, weakened 13th, pulled up before next, at Ludlow 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Padge (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to 2 out, weakened before last, 15th of 24, 19 3/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Poker Play (FR) 7-1 (11-6) In touch, headway 3 out, effort next, ridden and one pace before last, well held after, 5th of 16, 14 1/2l behind Coole Cody (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Persian Delight 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 6 out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 6, 17 1/4l behind Speredek (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outside, ridden when not clear run and switched left 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, unable to challenge, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Flemcara (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, some headway 4 out, outpaced next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Spiritofthegames (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
