tracked leader, led 4th but pressed, pushed along and headed on long run to 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after
in touch, jumped slowly 6th, behind from next, tailed off
held up in touch, blundered 2nd, lost place and struggling 6th, pulled up before next
took keen hold early tracking leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, led on long run to 2 out, joined 2 out, stayed on to assert last, driven out flat
led until narrowly headed 4th, stayed pressing leader, dived at 5th, mistake next, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up in last pair, smooth headway travelling well approaching 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged and every chance 2 out, pushed along and held when mistake last, kept on same pace flat
took keen hold in rear, pushed along and struggling in modest 6th after 4 out, never on terms
tracked leading pair until pushed along before 4 out, went well held 3rd again and hit 2 out, no chance with leading duo
Nonrunner
Full Shift won on his debut at Newcastle before finishing second at Newbury when stepped up in trip. Another quarter-mile shouldn't be a problem and he has a favourite's chance in this under McCoy. But we're loathe to desert the improving ROYAL PLAYER after comfortable victories at Exeter and Warwick and he is fancied to complete the hat-trick tackling handicap company for the first time. Valid Reason has every chance at the weights but Hidden Justice hasn't shown much so far this season and Colebrooke has struggled since winning over fences at Fontwell in the autumn. Minella On Line warrants a mention, however, as he's been placed behind smart novices in his two runs over timber.
Royal Player 11-4 (11-11) Made all, well in command when left clear 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft beating Algernon Pazham (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Hidden Justice (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Master Of The Game (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Jan.
Valid Reason 33-1 (11-2) Off the pace in mid-division, modest 5th inside final furlong, never any chance, 5th of 13, 27l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std.
Full Shift (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked clear leading pair, until 4 out, went 3rd again before 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Cole Harden (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Colebrooke 33-1 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd before 4 out, every chance before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 19l behind Everaard (10-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Songsmith 25-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, always towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Lexi's Boy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr '12.
Minella Special (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 47l behind Alder Mairi (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Minella On Line (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, went left and hit 3 out, 2nd soon after, ridden before 2 out, no chance with winner between last 2, eased when beaten flat, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Closing Ceremony (11-2) at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Gores Island (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Took keen hold chasing leaders, bumped 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Saphir Du Rheu (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
