tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well
held up mid-division, in 7th before 3 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before and mistake 3 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakening when fell heavily 3 out
held up behind, faultered and pulled up after 4 out
led, headed before 2 out, kept on and always well held
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression
BLACK CORTON (NAP) looks another for Paul Nicholls. A winning bumper in France, he was having his first start since September when up with the pace for most of the way at Wincanton in February and can gain his first victory for the stable. Magic Music Man wasn't beaten far when fourth at Ludlow and this sort of ground plays to his strengths but the selection's stable companion Whipcord, a point-to-point winner in October, is likely to need further and softer ground. Haut Bages hasn't shown much since arriving from France where he won on the Flat but Carqalin is the type to make progress on the quicker going.
Black Corton (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last, 3rd of 8, 13 3/4l behind Gala Ball (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Feb.
Common Practice (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway after 5 out, soon no impression, 8th of 9, dist behind Satellite (10-13) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Indian Brave (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in mid-division on inside, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never threatened, 6th of 11, 19 1/2l behind Rainy City (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Magic Music Man 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden, hung left and headed last, no extra close home, 4th of 13, 2l behind Rejaah (10-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
New Republic (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always in rear, pushed along and detached after 3rd, continued tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Emerging Talent (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Primary Suspect (IRE) 200-1 (11-1) In rear, tailed off 4th, pulled up after next, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Mar.
Scartare (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped right and not fluent, closed 3 out, no chance with winner, one pace last, last of 4, 15 3/4l behind Canicallyouback (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Thirty Bob (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) In rear, behind 6th, pulled up before next, at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Blundered 2nd, always in rear, tailed off, 8th of 11, 30 1/2l behind Rainy City (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Whipcord (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 2nd 9th until ridden before next, weakened 2 out, (normal 3 out), 5th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Wotzizname (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Apr.
Carqalin (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on outside , pushed along before 3 out, ridden and no extra next, 7th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Rainy City (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Haut Bages (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, in 5th from last, no impression, 5th of 16, 11 1/2l behind Red Tornado (10-7) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Apr.