tracked leaders, driven on long run between last 2, no impression last, weakened flat
tracked leaders on outside, driven and lost place on long run between last 2, soon weakened, tailed off last
held up in last pair in touch, effort on outside approaching last where not fluent, kept on same pace flat, no impression
led, joined last, soon headed, no chance with winner flat
tracked leaders on inside, driven and outpaced in 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression flat
tracked leader, challenged last, soon led, driven and quickened clear flat, readily
held up in last pair in touch, not fluent 3rd, outpaced on long run between last 2, ridden before last, kept on same pace, never on terms
VIRAK has his first run in this country since arriving from France but looked a nice prospect when scoring by 12 lengths at Pau in January and the four-year-old is proven on heavy ground. He's preferred to Warwick winner Cloudingstar, who also has plenty of scope but looks a stayer in the making. Sonoftheking has been placed in a point-to-point and a bumper and looks the pick of the remainder on his hurdles bow, though Voltchesko hinted at ability when fourth at Wincanton and might appreciate the extra 3f.
Cloudingstar (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 7th, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft beating Boss In Boots (11-1) by 4l, 10 ran.
Carheney River (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) In rear, weakened before 8th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Southfield Theatre (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
Kalani King (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear and keen, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Midnight Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sonoftheking (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) In touch, took keen hold, led over 2f out, soon hard ridden, headed over 1f, no extra, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Anteros (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Upton Wood 66-1 (11-1) Raced wide, held up in last pair, hung left on bend and reminders before 6th, went 3rd after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 5, 35l behind Ugly Bug (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Virak (FR) 7-2 (10-10) won at Pau(FR) 2m 1f 4yo hdl hvy in Jan beating Verigoud (10-5) by 12l, 11 ran.
Voltchesko (FR) 11-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden in 4th before next, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 26l behind Quick Decisson (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
