tracked leaders, driven to lead before 2 out, headed approaching last, soon rallied, kept on well under pressure
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
raced in rear, some late headway, never dangerous
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, led before last, soon hard driven and strongly challenged, stayed on well, readily
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms
with leader, under pressure approaching 2 out, soon lost place
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out
Smart Catch was a big outsider when beating Cleaver over C&D earlier this month. It may be asking a lot of Tony Carroll's five-year-old to follow up under a penalty and preference is for RAYA STAR. The latter would have gone close on his hurdling debut at Fontwell had he not fallen and he made amends at Doncaster next time. The only worry would be that he already looks as though he'll do better over further in time. Dual bumper winner Shuil Royale weakened quickly on his hurdling bow at Sandown but should have learned from the experience and makes more appeal than winning pointer Croan Rock.
Raya Star (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led before last, kept on under pressure run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Kings Grey (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Smart Catch (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Cleaver (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Croan Rock (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 7th, disputing 3rd and beaten when fell 2 out, in a race won by Maringo Bay (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Monroe Park (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, fell 4th, in a race won by Sir Vincent (11-12) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Premier Article (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, rear when badly hampered 4th, ridden and struggling after 2 out, soon eased, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Sire De Grugy (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, hit next, lost 2nd after 3 out, outpaced by leading duo from 2 out, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Hildisvini (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Somewhatinevitable (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on inside 5th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 8l behind Smart Catch (11-1) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
There And Then 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, lost touch 6th, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-8) at Hereford 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Toulaman (GER) 5-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 19l behind Latin America (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Feb '09.
Homer Run (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Henry King (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
