in touch with leading pair, pushed along 4 out, led 2 out, ran on after last, easily
prominent, disputed lead after 3rd, pushed along 4 out, lost position before 3 out, weakened before next
just better than midfield, came under a drive and lost place before 13th, weakened before 4 out
tracked leader, lost position after 3rd, pushed along 13th, weakened before 4 out
in rear, hard ridden after 13th, weakened from 4 out
led, joined for lead after 3rd, came under a drive before 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, not fluent last, kept on at one pace flat
held up in mid-division, progress when asked before 3 out, soon under pressure, not match for front pair on approach to last
just worse than midfield, mistakes, under pressure after 12th, no impact after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
midfield, pushed along before 12th, hard ridden before 14th, no impact from 4 out
Hidden Charmer was just behind Dentley De Mee when third over a shorter trip here at the start of the month. That was his first run under Rules since July 2019 so he may well reverse the placings. Monkey Puzzle has solid each-way claims again and Sizing Cusimano has had a rest since failing to fire at Market Rasen in January and his yard is in better form now. But Philip Hobbs runs two in this with Richard Johnson staying loyal to FROM THE HEART (NAP), who has already won around here this season and was far from disgraced when on a hat-trick at Exeter in November when he may have found the going too testing. Sumkindofking is thrown in on his best form but it’s a long time since he showed that.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged after 11th, lost place after 15th, well beaten before 4 out, 5th of 7, 23 1/2l behind Subcontinent (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Sizing Cusimano 5-2jfav (11-3) Chased leaders, starting to lose place when blundered 14th, behind and no chance after, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Monkey Puzzle 10-1 (11-8) Led until jumped slowly and headed 2nd, chased winner until 10th, chased leaders, hit 13th and lost 3rd, regained that placing 15th, weakened into 4th after 4 out, went modest 3rd again between last 2, 3rd of 11, 30l behind Shanty Alley (11-7) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Well there on inside until lost place after 8th, behind and struggling next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Sandy Boy (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Regal Flow 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and lost place 15th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
From The Heart (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, led before 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed before 2 out, faded from last, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Crossley Tender (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hidden Charmer (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, effort on inside when blundered 2 out, switched left before last, good headway out wide towards finish, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Ebony Gale (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Dentley De Mee (FR) 3-1jfav (11-5) Raced wide, tracked leaders in 5th, closer at 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, rallied under pressure before last, finished well, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ebony Gale (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
