tracked leader, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, ridden found little and headed final 110 yards, lost 2nd last strides
took keen hold, soon steadied in touch, ridden and struggling 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
took keen hold early, led after 2nd, slipped on bend soon after, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, chased leader and kept trying until not pace of winner final 110 yards, kept on, took 2nd last strides
restrained in rear, headway into 5th when hit 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, hampered on inside on bend after 2nd, behind from next, tailed off
led until soon after 1st, soon held up, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold early, chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 2 out, weakened to 4th and hit last
chased leaders, effort on outside when hit 3 out, chased leading pair under pressure from next, switched right flat, strong run to lead final 110 yards, won going away
LORD LANDEN stands out on the figures in this contest and is preferred to Evening Haze and Midnight Spirit. The drop back to two miles looks to be the right decision by connections of Lord Landen who led for much of the way over two miles three at Newton Abbot before weakening inside the final 3 furlongs. He did race a shade keenly so will need to settle better but Aidan Coleman retains the ride and this contest may not have as much strength in depth. The main challenge to the selection could come from Midnight Spirit and Evening Haze. The former has shown renewed vigour of late despite his advancing years and he has strung together a decent sequence but official ratings suggest that he's up against it under the conditions of the race. Evening Haze has displayed her best performances on firmer ground and is entitled to progress further after just two starts over obstacles and was only three lengths behind the selection at Newton Abbot but we'll take Lord Landen to confirm the placings.
Midnight Spirit 12-1 (11-3) Always prominent, went 2nd before 4th, mistake next, ridden to lead when mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-6) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Achiltibuie (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders early and keen, soon mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Bringewood Belle (10-4) at Bangor 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Lord Landen (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced advantage 4th, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd before last, 4th of 12, 20l behind Express Leader (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Nobby Kivambo (IRE) 125-1 (11-2) In rear, not fluent and behind 4th, tailed off, 8th of 12, 37l behind Great Reason (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Secret Shared (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) To & pu 15, in a race won by John Daniell (11-7) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Apr, 15 ran.
Simbamead 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, pushed along and weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Peddlers Cross (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Evening Haze 7-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, no impression on winner when went modest 2nd, went left 3 out and 2 out, went left and weakened to 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Tout Regulier (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Washango (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Mistake 1st, in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, hampered 2 out, weakened, 10th of 18, 35l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '08.
