held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd next, ridden between last 2, soon one pace and well held when not fluent last
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2nd until before 5th, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, went poor 4th run-in
took keen hold towards rear, never involved
chased clear leading trio, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
always prominent, led 3 out, until narrowly headed before next, led again soon after 2 out, joined last, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely to assert final 125 yards
in rear, struggling after 6th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
last pair, never involved
led and set good pace, headed approaching 3 out, chased winner before next, upsides last, every chance run-in, no extra final 125 yards
This looks wide-open but Nightline has to go on the short-list having returned from a break with a good fourth in a better race at Doncaster. Tara Tavey bounced back from a dismal run with a victory at Towcester but three of her three wins have come at that track. Set In My Ways was much improved when second at Ludlow last month but this is a big step up in trip. Josh Newman's claim will help Petite Power while Rainbow Haze has won over track and trip and Royal Chief was only beaten half-a-length at Taunton in December. HORSTED VALLEY won twice on quicker ground last spring and arrives here off the back of a second at Doncaster. He races off the same mark here and can go one better.
Brod Na Heireann (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden and one paced next, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Tagrita (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Nightline 8-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 9l behind Fingerontheswitch (11-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Set In My Ways (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up behind, tracked leaders after 4 out, driven and one pace after next, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Britanio Bello (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Petite Power (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, well behind after 3 out, stayed on flat, never on terms, 6th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Ballyhenry (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Horsted Valley 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, mistake last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Night In Milan (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Tara Tavey (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Storm Alert (10-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
Far From Defeat (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, went 4th latter stages, 4th of 8, 25l behind Aurillac (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Royal Chief (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, kept on well run-in, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Theatre Goer (11-6) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Rainbow Haze 16-1 (10-6) Led, clear until before 2nd, jumped right 5th, not fluent 3 out, headed before last, one pace and beaten flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Albert D'olivate (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
