tracked leaders early, 2nd when in view on bend before 3 out, 3rd when in view close home
in rear early, 5th when in view on last bend before 3 out, 4th when in view towards finish
tracked leaders early, 4th when in view on last bend before 3 out, well beaten when in view close home
in touch early, struggling when in view before 8th, well beaten after
towards rear when slow 1st, struggling in last after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch early, 3rd when in view on last bend before 3 out, soon challenging, in clear lead when in view close home, easily
in rear early and when in view 8th
towards rear on outside early, 6th and struggling when in view on last bend before 3 out
prominent early, struggling when in view on last bend before 3 out
in lead whenever in view until well held 2nd when in view close home
Admiral Blake would almost certainly have ended his losing run at Taunton last month had he not fallen at the second last. However, he’s been hit with an 8lb rise and hasn’t won in more than five years. BREAKING GROUND won at Wincanton in February and hasn’t run badly in recent starts at Hereford and Kempton. He’s starting to slip down the weights again so gets the nod ahead of Gonnabegood, who has won around here but is possibly a few pounds too high now. Solstice Twilight would need to improve on what she’s shown so far to play a part.
Solstice Twilight 33-1 (10-5) Close up in 4th, ridden 7th, outpaced 2 out(normal 3 out), went 3rd close home, 3rd of 4, dist behind Larry (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) hvy in Mar.
Mauna Kea (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 16, dist behind Drewmain Legend (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Gonnabegood (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd until ridden before 2 out, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 25 1/4l behind Shoofly Milly (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Ambion Lane (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Prominent, weakened quickly, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Tis What It Is (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Towards rear, slow and reminder 2nd, behind 7th, pulled up after, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Breaking Ground (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Raced on inside, chased leader, led after 4th, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner until after 2 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 11l behind Bertie Barnes (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Gaelic Flow 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Cheque En Blanc (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Ring Minella (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division but in touch, mistake 6th, under pressure 8th, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Admiral Blake 5-1 (10-0) Led, about 10 lengths ahead and going strongly when fell 2 out, at Taunton 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Georgina Joy 11-2 (10-7) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 5th, lost place after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 3m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
