with leader, not fluent 3rd, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out
led, ridden after 3 out, not fluent and headed next, soon one pace
held up towards rear, fell 7th
mid-division, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, disputing close 3rd, ridden when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when left 4th 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders until weakened after 7th, behind when saddled slipped last
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway and effort 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, hit last, ran on strongly
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and edged right 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
This step up in trip should suit Haldibari but he hasn't always looked the easiest ride so we'll take a chance with the unexposed Special Day. The selection has yet to shine in three runs although the last two have been in the Triumph and the Grade 2 Adonis. He was well held on debut too but he did attract support in a race that has provided a couple of winners and it may be best to look kindly on the run as heavy ground at Towcester may not have been ideal. Lucy Wadham has her string in decent order and he may well fare better now handicapping. The likes of Serhaaphim, John Dillon, Fredo, Bantry Bere, Quattrocento and Eastwell Smiles are all considered with Fredo perhaps the most interesting of the sextet as he's another that could well improve for this longer trip. Haldibari has run some decent races this season but it was his odds-on defeat at Taunton in December that set the alarm bells ringing as he looked far from keen. He raced more kindly last time though and should appreciate this stiffer test and we wouldn't be too quick in writing him off. However, we're going to take Special Day to get proceedings off to a flyer.
Serhaaphim 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Glad Big (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3rd, led again 4th, headed and hit 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 16, 7l behind Metaphoric (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
John Dillon (IRE) 7-4fav (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, hung right last, led flat, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating John Forbes (11-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Haldibari (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Stagehand (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Fredo (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Light Yield (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Sarde (FR) 40-1 (11-2) In touch, effort after 3 out, weakened before next, last of 17, well behind Exmoor Ranger (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Quattrocento (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, led last, hard ridden, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Sir Peter (11-10) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Ardesia (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Led, headed 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Poseidon's Secret (10-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Eastwell Smiles 10-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, mistake 4th, steady headway from next, ridden 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Pentasilea (10-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Power Shared (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Lordsbridge (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Special Day (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, always towards rear, 12th of 14, well behind Celestial Halo (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Pleasurable 25-1 (10-5) Led 1st, headed soon after, led chasing group, outpaced before 3 out, kept on, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Shavansky (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Isaac Newton (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division hampered 4th, mistake 6th, ridden 8th, weakened after next, 5th of 16, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd.
Tension Point 40-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, not fluent 1st, some headway but not on terms approaching 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 19l behind First De La Brunie (9-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
