chased leaders on inside, dropped to mid-division 2nd, effort before 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling after 3 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, struggling after 5th, mistake and well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led after 1st, not fluent 4th or 5th, headed before 2 out, weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th flat, never on terms
prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, mistake 3 out, mistake and well beaten 2 out
took keen hold, prominent early, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 3 out, 4th 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well to draw clear
held up in rear, mistake 1st, well behind 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out until approaching last, no extra flat
chased leaders, led before 2 out, ridden and edged left before last, pressed at the last, soon headed, no impression on winner flat
led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 2nd, lost place before 2 out, well behind when pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, well beaten before 2 out
A typically-competitive renewal of this Grade 3 which has produced some decent winners in recent years. Five of the last six winners have carried 11st 6lb or more to victory so proven class is a plus. MELROSE BOY is probably better over a bit further but there will be a strong pace in this, which will bring his stamina into play. Harry Fry’s charge ran a cracker in this grade last month and his stable is in excellent form so he might be the one to beat. Indian Hawk bounced back to form at Warwick after disappointing when favourite for a Grade 2 at Doncaster and looks a danger. The Dubai Way is bidding for a six-timer and Mick Easterby’s raider Sam's Gunner is worth a second look reverting to his best trip. Mud-lover Game On also warrants a mention while Al Shahir was unlucky to come up against some smart novices prior to winning a modest affair at Towcester.
The Russian Doyen (IRE) 9-5 (11-8) Always prominent, led 4th, clear 2 out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Feb beating Esprit De Somoza (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Indian Hawk (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Chased leader until after 5th, led 2 out, clear flat, readily, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Weebill (11-2) by 5l, 9 ran.
Run To Milan (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders 4 out, 2nd 2 out, 2 lengths down when mistake last, soon no extra, held on for 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Ok Corral (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Game On (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Led, not fluent 7th, headed after next, led 9th, not fluent 3 out, strongly pressed 3 out until jumped right last, driven out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Feb beating Diablo De Rouhet (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Canelo (IRE) 13-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, led and edged right before not fluent last, ran on well flat, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating French Crusader (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Al Shahir (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Made all, driven clear after 2 out, ran on well, won at Towcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Dec beating The Bottom Bar (11-6) by 7l, 15 ran.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 5-2 (12-7) Tracked leader, led before last, kept on, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Vado Forte (11-11) by 1l, 8 ran.
Notre Ami (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Raced wide, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 3 out, going well when hit next, over 1 length ahead last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Et Moi Alors (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
First Assignment (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, challenged 6th, led after 3 out, 3 lengths clear last, held on, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Penn Lane (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dashing Perk 5-4 (11-8) Chased leader until 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and no impression after 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 5, 22 3/4l behind Whiskey In The Jar (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb.
Sam's Gunner 7-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway before 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-13) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) Evens (11-8) Chased winner, ridden and kept on before last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Scorpion Sid (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Jabulani (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 13, 33 3/4l behind Jenkins (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Turtle Wars (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly last, stayed on, in command towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Midnight Chill (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Dentley De Mee (FR) 2-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Master Tommytucker (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Midnight Chill 25-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, ridden and joined 2 out, headed narrowly last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Turtle Wars (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Quick Pick (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, led before last, kept on, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan beating Henry's Joy (11-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
Melrose Boy (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside into mid-division before 7th, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, 2nd soon after next, held when lost 2nd last, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Topofthegame (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
