jumped right, made all, drew clear after last, comfortably
in touch, headway when blundered last, soon chasing winner, no impression flat
held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, kept on one pace final 2f
towards rear, outpaced 2 out, stayed on same pace final 2f
tracked leaders, weakened between last 2
towards rear, struggling from halfway
in touch, pushed along 2 out, ridden last, soon weakened
chased winner until ridden and no extra after last
always behind
Bywell Beau has shown progressive form in recent months and has to be respected but this looks tougher than the race that he won here last month and preference is for Malakiya, who gets the vote over Marodima. The last mentioned won nicely under testing conditions at Towcester last month and, with Oliver Sherwood's string in fine form right now, he has to be respected. Mohayer equipped himself well off a mark of 120 in a handicap at Uttoxeter last time and has solid claims under conditions that suit. Don McCain's gelding makes more appeal than recent course winner Stainley, while Balyan has yet to look a complete natural at the winter game. The same cannot be said of Jonjo O'Neill's Malakiya, who has a progressive profile, including under testing conditions, and he is taken to complete a hat trick.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating The Ring (11-9) by 30l, 15 ran.
Mohayer (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Always prominent, led 2 out, hung left approaching last, hung left again flat, no extra and headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Wizard of Us (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Nevertika (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 21l behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Prominent, weakened quickly approaching last, 5th of 6, well behind Moyne Pleasure (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Balyan (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headed and kept on after, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Dancing Lyra (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Norminster 20-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Hollows Mill (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Malakiya (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Signs of Love (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Marodima (FR) 8-15fav (11-1) Keen and made all, ridden 2 out, kept on, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Bonnet's Pieces (10-9) by 11l, 9 ran.
Stainley (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway out, effort and led run-in, kept on gamely, won at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Khachaturian (10-9) by a shd, 11 ran.
