tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, mistake 5 out, weakened before 2 out
led and set strong pace, reminders before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, headed last, rallied run-in, kept on and held towards finish
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden before last, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, ridden before last, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened from 3 out
towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led last, kept on and edged left last 100 yards, driven out
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden before last, soon weakened
This looks a very competitive handicap but the novice Two Taffs, who has been knocking on the door, will be popular after his staying-on fourth in a Grade 3 at Sandown, though he doesn't look the easiest of rides. Eshtiaal returned from a break to win over 2m on the Polytrack at Dundalk last month while Arbre De Vie wasn't beaten far in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, despite only finishing 10th. Baby Bach has been in fine form but Zeroeshadesofgrey is a thorough stayer who is likely to find this on the sharp side and Forest Bihan has done most of his racing over shorter. WARRIORS TALE has had an up-and-down season but wasn't disgraced in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham having come up against a well-handicapped rival at Musselburgh earlier. He won over a shorter trip here last year and is very much a soft-ground performer so there's no reason why he won't be in the firing-line today.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway 3 out, driven to chase leaders after 2 out, one pace before last, never on terms, 10th of 26, 4 3/4l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance before last, soon chased winner, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 0, 2 1/4l behind Sugar Baron (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Missed Approach (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch on inside, lost place after 3 out, behind from next, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Warriors Tale 22-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced on outside before 2 out, stayed on into mid-division from last, never nearer, 11th of 24, 17 1/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Forest Bihan (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, hung left from next, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 11 1/2l behind Gala Ball (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, went 3rd approaching last, kept on flat, not reach front pair, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Silsol (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Baby Bach (IRE) 1-4fav (11-13) Tracked front pair, mistake 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, effort to challenge between last 2, led narrowly last, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Jovial Joey (11-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Eshtiaal (USA) 8-1 (12-3) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, improved to lead 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Mar beating Cardinal Palace (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Two Taffs (IRE) 7-1fav (11-3) Held up, good headway on inside before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, chased leaders, one pace run-in, lost 3rd post, 4th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Barney Dwan (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Mango Cap (FR) 16-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, 26 1/2l behind Shrewd (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Reaping The Reward (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Saint Are (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
