chased clear leading pair until before 5th, outpaced after 10th, rallied into 3rd again 3 out, ridden and one pace before next, plugged on run-in
jumped well, pressed leader, led 2nd, made rest, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly, driven clear run-in
took keen hold, held up off the pace in last pair, closer 9th, went 3rd 12th, 2nd after 4 out, pushed along before next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
led until 2nd, pressed winner until pushed along and lost 2nd after 4 out, chased leading pair until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, ridden and struggling when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
held up off the pace in 4th, closer approaching 8th, 3rd before 5th until mistake 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake next
always last, tailed off when went badly right 8th and 10th, pulled up before next
Nonrunner
Morgan's Bay has been lightly raced in recent years but is well treated on past form and, like Vikekhal, a previous course winner. Mille Nautique is still 7lb higher than when scoring at Huntingdon more than a year ago while Milgen Bay remains out of sorts and Jay Are is best watched at present but Sonneofpresenting remains unexposed over fences, though hasn’t raced since September. HIGHBURY HIGH has had a shorter break having scored at Market Rasen in January. He’s 7lb higher now but has often been placed around here and is overdue a first win.
Vikekhal (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Never travelled or jumped with any fluency, in rear, reminders and struggling before 10th, pulled up after next, at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Sonneofpresenting (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Prominent, left in lead 1st, made rest, ridden before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Vexillum (11-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Jay Are (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) In rear, weakened from 5 out, last of 4, dist behind Perfect Timing (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Milgen Bay 25-1 (11-7) Led, pushed along 5 out, ridden before 4 out, soon headed and soon weakened, 6th of 7, 31 1/2l behind Strongly Suggested (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Highbury High (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 5 out, every chance 3 out, led next, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Make Me A Fortune (11-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
Morgan's Bay 40-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, plugged on same pace from 3 out, lost modest 3rd near finish, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Iona Days (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mille Nautique (FR) 9-4 (11-8) With leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace in 3rd and no impression, 3rd of 4, 26l behind Boa Island (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
