pulled hard, led before 1st, veered badly right on paddock bend after 3rd, continued in rear, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
tracked leader, carried out after 3rd on paddock bend, unseated rider
tracked leaders, left in lead after 3rd on paddock bend, pressed 3 out, kept on and headed towards finish
in rear and in touch, took keen hold, left 2nd after 3rd on paddock bend, lost 2nd after 4 out, regained 2nd before last, ridden run-in, kept on to lead towards finish
MIDNIGHT SHADOW looks the one to beat in this opener as he’s been placed in Listed and Grade 2 company since winning on soft going at Uttoxeter in the autumn. Ayr winner Keyboard Gangster appears to be improving, however, while Think Ahead was very useful on the Flat when owned by Godolphin and won a maiden at Cartmel last summer having been snapped up for £18,000 by James Moffatt. Kapga De Lily will need to improve on her one run in a bumper, in which she finished tailed off.
Keyboard Gangster (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 4 out, soon clear, easily, won at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Bialco (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Midnight Shadow 5-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 6, 10l behind First Flow (11-4) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Think Ahead 7-1 (11-0) Chased leader, left in lead before 3rd, jumped right 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Jul beating Dance Rock (10-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Kapga De Lily (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, dist behind Peters Cousin (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Oct.
