took keen hold, led, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next
with leader until 2nd, lost 2nd next, 2nd again 7th, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, 4 1/2 lengths down last, plugged on flat
chased leaders, pushed along 5th, not fluent 9th, slow next, behind from next, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, 2nd 3rd until 7th, challenged 3 out, led next, 4 1/2 lengths ahead last, all out
Connections of Elkstone will be hoping that Barton Rose can give a boost to the form of a recent second over track and trip but the six-year-old is giving a lot of weight to TENANT FARMER. Evan Williams’ grey was always going to make a better chaser than hurdler and took a step forward when fourth at Fontwell last time. Lakeshore Lady may have been suited by better ground but Finnegan's Garden ran his best race so far here 10 days ago, though is 10lb out of the handicap.
Elkstone 10-3fav (11-12) Led, bumped 1st, headed next, led after 4th, not fluent 4 out, headed next, beaten last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Barton Rose (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Lakeshore Lady (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in 5th, went 4th before 7th, weakened before 10th, left poor 4th at the last, 4th of 7, 24 1/4l behind Little Windmill (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Tenant Farmer (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway 9th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Slidecheck (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, jumped right 2nd, left in 4th, kept on well under pressure, never a threat, 3rd of 8, 12 1/4l behind Midnight Mustang (10-3) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
