tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd place towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened 3f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway halfway to chase leaders, led over 2f out, kept on well
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
An interesting finale which has been dominated by southern raiders in recent years. Brendan Powell's Mere Ironmonger beat a big field at Kempton when a 25/1 shot on debut and should know more today. Paul Nicholls introduces the French-bred Gibbes Bay while County Antrim-based Stuart Crawford runs Jimmy Breekie and Newcastle fifth Dear Sire, with Barry Geraghty a significant booking for the latter. Ballycrystal beat MAN O'WORDS and Cougar's Gold at Doncaster in February but is now worse off at the weights. Tom Lacey's charge was quietly fancied that day and stayed on strongly close home so can reverse the form and land this. Reivers Lad won on soft going at Carlisle last month but this looks tougher.
Ballycrystal (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb beating Man O'words (11-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Reivers Lad 6-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, kept on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) sft in Mar beating Powerful Symbol (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mere Ironmonger 25-1 (10-10) Led 4f, chased leader, led again over 4f out, clear 2f out, strongly pressed in closing stages, always holding on, won at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar beating Chelsea Flyer (11-3) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Cougar's Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Ballycrystal (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
Jimmy Breekie (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, some progress 6f out and 5th 4f out, pushed along approaching straight and went 3rd over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Bel Sas (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 2f Good - Yielding in Mar.
Man O'words (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon headway, kept on well inside final furlong to take 2nd place close home, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Ballycrystal (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
Brackenmoss Rory 22-1 (10-8) In rear, outpaced over 5f out, pulled up, at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Mar.
Disturb 18-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out to chase leaders, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Happy Hollow (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (6) gs in Mar.
Gibbes Bay (FR) Al Namix gelding out of Nouvelle Donne.
Nicholas T 80-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Elgin (10-9) at Haydock 2m (5) gd in Mar.
Dear Sire (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leader and keen, led halfway, headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 12l behind Bestiarius (10-10) at Newcastle 2m (6) hvy in Mar.
