held up in last pair, brief effort before 3 out, weakened soon after
held up in rear, driven into modest 4th before 2 out, challenging for well held 3rd when fell 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd 4 out, outpaced and no chance with leading duo next
chased leaders on outside, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened soon after next, left distant 4th 2 out, tailed off
raced keenly, led, clear 2nd, hit next, reduced lead when hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, held when hit last
Songsmith was well backed at Plumpton earlier this month. He's been dropped another 3lb since and eased in grade so has to come into the reckoning. Saffron Prince has also been taking on better opposition lately and was beaten less than a length at Warwick last month, though has been raised 6lb by the handicapper. Huntingdon winner Mr Lando went close again at Southwell last week and Dormouse is usually thereabouts but the maiden Coyaba is in danger of becoming disappointing. THE GREEN OGRE was running well off much higher marks around this time last year and was more like his old self last time at Plumpton. His rider claims 8lb and that could be big positive in a race like this.
Saffron Prince 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 3 out, led when not fluent next, soon hung left, headed last, hung left and every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Rathealy (11-12) at Warwick 2m (3) sft in Mar.
Dormouse 4-1 (11-5) Raced wide and held up in 5th, closer order 5th, driven into 4th before 2 out, went 2nd approaching the last, kept on run-in but flattered by proximity to eased down winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind May Be Some Time (10-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Songsmith 5-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 7th of 12, 24l behind Ossie's Dancer (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
The Green Ogre 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, one pace before 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dormello Mo (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Coyaba 6-4 (11-3) Raced wide, tracked leader until after 2nd, chased leading pair, 2nd again on long run before out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 5, 37l behind Lessons In Milan (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Mr Lando 3-1 (11-5) Led, driven and headed approaching 2 out, ridden and hung left between last 2, rallied and every chance last, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Yes Daddy (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.