tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, soon lost place, ridden and weakened next
held up, pushed along 4th, struggling next, never dangerous
held up, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, ridden and kept on flat
led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, hit 4th and next, headway 3 out, led before next, 3 lengths clear when mistake last, kept on
pulled hard, held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened
chased leaders, out paced 3 out, 4th and no impression when mistake and unseated rider after next
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied flat, never trouble leaders
In a modest contest it may pay to give another chance to Ocarito with Salsero and Shernatra the obvious alternatives. The selection, a winner of four races on the Flat in Germany, didn't show a great deal in his first four starts over hurdles but was backed into favouritism on his handicap bow at Bangor and ran well enough to finish second, fully 15 lengths clear of the third. He was 7lbs higher and racing over a longer trip when failing to justify market leadership at Uttoxeter next time but he raced too keenly and is worth another chance today. Shernatra has made the frame on his last two starts at around two and a half miles. Those runs came a year apart and he's presumably had his problems, this drop in trip isn't certain to suit but he's entitled to come on for his reappearance and has leading claims. Salsero showed little on his first two starts but produced a better performance at Ayr. There may be more to come now that he's handicapping and the market should guide to his chances. None are confidently dismissed but these three have sound claims in the context of this heat and Ocarito may be able to emerge victorious.
Shernatra (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led, hit 4th, headed 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Lord Lieutenant (9-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Salsero (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Silver By Nature (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Springvic (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, led again approaching 4th, hit next, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Glad Big (11-6) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Storm Prince (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 7th, one pace, 5th of 15, 29l behind Nick's Choice (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Feb.
St Pancras (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fair Dual (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Ocarito (GER) 4-1fav (9-12) Slowly away, took keen hold, held up and behind, no progress from 9th, 9th of 17, 39l behind Boing Boing (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Colditz (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 30l behind Rich Lord (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Lady Sambury 250-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 37l behind Noble Alan (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
