raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders when hit 4 out, led before next, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner after, well held
raced out wide and held up towards rear, smooth headway tracking leaders after 4 out, went 2nd going well before next, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, driven and stayed on strongly run-in
edgy and mounted in walkway, led until pushed along and headed before 3 out, weakened quickly
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and keen, good headway chasing leaders travelling well before 3 out, weakened last
held up in rear, never on terms
chased leaders on inside, hampered bend after 4 out, switched right soon after, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened next
raced keenly, tracked leader until pushed along and weakened rapidly before 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
soon held up in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, last pair and struggling before next, no headway
mid-division, hit 3rd, steady headway chasing leaders before 2 out, ridden in 3rd between last 2, challenging for 2nd when blundered last, kept on run-in but not recover
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out
NonRunner
This is a very competitive handicap but MILKWOOD might be worth sticking with. Highly progressive last year, he won over course and distance on his reappearance in a canter and a 9lb rise looks fully justified. Buzz makes his handicap debut and should win more races this season while Ecco may have benefited from a break. Marine One is on a four-timer and is still improving while Main Fact made rapid strides last season, though may just need this. Sceau Royal has a much higher rating over fences and Ballyandy ran in the Champion Hurdle in March having won a Grade 2 at Haydock earlier. Thebannerkingrebel, Mario De Pail and Millers Bank add to the interest in a race that’s likely to provide plenty of winners in the months ahead.
Ballyandy 20-1 (11-10) Led until after 1st, chased leaders on inside after, driven after 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 17, 16l behind Epatante (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Sceau Royal (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in last, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, well behind 2 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Politologue (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Remiluc (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Always front rank, every chance run-in, kept on gamely, 3rd of 24, 3/4l behind Pic D'Orhy (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Thebannerkingrebel (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, closer on inside before 3 out, weakened next, 17th of 24, 14 1/2l behind Pic D'Orhy (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Milkwood (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Held up in touch, went second approaching 3 out, led going well before 2 out, went clear on bridle last, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Ballinsker (11-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
Millers Bank 6-4jfav (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec beating Multellie (11-4) by 14l, 8 ran.
Lightly Squeeze 5-1 (10-3) Held-up, headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on at same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Billy No Mates (9-11) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Running D'or (FR) 40-1 (11-11) Led, saddle slipped and pulled up before 4th, at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Ecco 50-1 (11-1) In touch on inside, lost place 6th, behind from 3 out, 17th of 23, 30 3/4l behind Indefatigable (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Buzz (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Took keen hold early, soon steadied in 5th, pushed along and no headway before 2 out, plugged on, 4th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Highway One O Two (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Mario De Pail (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Behind, reminders after 4 out, never involved, lost touch when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Marine One 5-1jfav (10-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced before 2 out, rallied between last 2, went 2nd last, stayed on, led last stride, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep beating Pisgah Pike (10-4) by shd, 12 ran.
Main Fact (USA) 5-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, steady progress on outside 5th, led going well 3 out, pushed clear approaching last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Mar beating Kateson (11-3) by 15l, 15 ran.
