tracked leaders, ridden when badly hampered 2 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last and every chance, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed between 7th/8th, soon outpaced and behind, kept on flat
close up in 4th, headway to track leader 4 out, ridden next, left in lead 2 out, driven out
keen early, tracked leader, led between 7th/8th, blundered badly and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
Pilansberg, a winning stayer on the Flat in France who was placed in a Group 2, will surely be better over hurdles than he showed at Kempton back in February but he's probably best watched for now. Dan Skelton has sent a strong team today and STAGE ONE, a winning pointer, will have learnt plenty from his third at Doncaster on his debut under Rules. Italian import Barkis was only beaten half-a-length on his hurdles bow at Worcester and has scope. He makes more appeal than former stablemate Newsworthy, who has a penalty to carry for his win at Bangor in April and was well beaten on his first run for new connections.
Barkis 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, just held in 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 1/4l behind Washed Ashore (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Damby's Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until 6th, lost place before 4 out, soon behind, 6th of 9, dist behind El Bandit (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun.
Pilansberg 13-2 (10-12) Held up off the pace in chasing group, took keen hold, weakened 3 out, last of 7, 19 1/4l behind Zubayr (10-12) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Stage One (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd briefly 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 11, 14 1/4l behind Cloudy Dream (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Newsworthy (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, keen early, not fluent 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 24l behind Canton Prince (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
