raced wide tracked leaders, chased clear leader 6th until ridden 2 out, soon weakened, stumbled last
in rear, hit 3 out, effort when hit next, weakened and hit last
pressed leader, weakened quickly 4 out, tailed off
in touch, jumped left and weakened 2 out, tailed off
close up, pushed along to chase leader 2 out, led flat, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along 2 out, not trouble leaders
raced wide held up, reminders 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, went 2nd close home
led, clear 6th, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed flat, lost 2nd close home
NonRunner
Boreham Bill, successful three times, is coming down the weights but Gortroe Joe has been chasing, though will appreciate the good ground. Guernesey was in fine form at the back end of last season and very nearly made a successful return to action at Wincanton last week. He looks on a fair mark and is greatly respected while Feivel may be able to confirm last month’s Hereford form where he had a couple of lengths to spare over The Street. Richard Newland’s charge was ridden much more aggressively that day and the tactics paid off so a 6lb rise doesn’t look insurmountable. However, MACKELDUFF (NAP) has been racing in better company and his two victories last season were achieved on good ground so he looks the one to beat from near the foot of the handicap. Hereford winner A Distant Place looks best of the remainder.
Calico (GER) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 15th of 22, 33 3/4l behind Suprise Package (11-1) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, challenged before 5th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression, weakened inside final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Bold Plan (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Ornua (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 1st, headed and tracked leader 5th, lost place from 12th, ridden and soon lost touch and tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
A Distant Place (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Prominent, strong challenge 3 out, mistake last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Mr Grey Sky (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Shantou Express (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, lost touch 5th and driven, virtually tailed off 3 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 18 3/4l behind Oakley (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Guernesey (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway under pressure to dispute lead 2 out, stayed on well from last but could not reach winner, 2nd of 6, hd behind River Bray (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
The Street (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 6th, mistake next, ridden 2 out, went 2nd before last, not trouble winner, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Feivel (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Mackelduff (FR) 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, ridden and outpaced at 3 out, never a factor, 5th of 8, 20 1/4l behind Hart Of Steel (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Feivel (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Led until 2nd, led before 7th, clear before last, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating The Street (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until before 5th, chased leaders on inside, hung right home turn, went 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Isolate (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
