held up well off the pace in rear, steady headway into 5th after 4 out, kept on run-in, almost snatched 3rd, nearest finish
off the pace in 4th, behind and struggling soon after 4 out, tailed off
held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway 5th, went 3rd next, closer when left in lead and hampered 3 out, clear going strongly before last, easily
tracked clear leader, closed to lead narrowly when fell 3 out
pulled hard, off the pace towards rear, stumbled badly 2nd, never a factor, tailed off
off the pace in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced in 6th after 4 out, left modest 4th 3 out, hung left and weakened after 2 out
off the pace in 3rd until 6th, remained in 4th place, left 3rd 3 out, kept on run-in, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with easy winner
last pair, never a factor, tailed off
raced keenly, off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off
led, clear after 3rd until before 3 out, headed 3 out and left chasing winner, no chance, weakened into 3rd towards finish
The Crooner has a shout on these terms but takes on older horses today after placing at Warwick. Fly To Mars also has claims at the weights having finished fourth here last month though his yard is finding winners hard to come by at present and DOSTAL PHIL is preferred. The latter just missed out in a handicap at Newbury recently on his first start since November and should make a bold bid with Richard Johnson a more than able replacement for usual partner Barry Geraghty. Havana River debuts under Rules having won a point-to-point while Barranco Valley finished runner-up on his hurdling bow but that was way back in 2015 and he’s switched to David Pipe’s yard since.
Barranco Valley 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Simon Squirrel (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Oct.
Bindon Lane 150-1 (11-3) Towards rear on outside, not fluent 1st, ridden and struggling 5th, 12th of 13, dist behind Umbrigado (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Dostal Phil (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear of mid-division, ridden and good headway chasing leaders when went badly left 2 out, went 2nd run-in and strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Laughing Luis (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Fly To Mars 6-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Umbrigado (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Global Rhapsody (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear of mid-division, some headway before 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Acey Milan (11-0) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Megaudais Speed (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, weakened after 8th, 9th of 12, dist behind Ask The Weatherman (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
No Rematch (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Colonel Custard (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Spiny Norman 250-1 (11-2) Held up behind, struggling before 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Airton (11-2) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Feb.
Havana River (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Tr ldr in 2nd until ld bef 5th, 1 1/2l adv 6out & sl adv 3out, hdd bef last, no ex early flat, later awarded the race, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Ellie Jack (11-6) at Tralee 3m mdn gd in May.
The Crooner (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, challenged 5th, led 3 out, driven and hard pressed from 2 out, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Laskadine (10-11) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Jan.
