held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no impression from before 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, no impression
always towards rear
with winner until 4 out, weakened before 3 out
made all, clear before 3 out, eased towards finish
in rear, blundered 1st, never dangerous
Just Don't Ask completed a double on heavy going around this time last year but showed quicker ground holds no terrors when scoring at Wetherby last month. Ascot De Bruyere was always travelling well when scoring over an extended 2m7f here last month but could find this on the short side unless the going eases. Bernardelli hasn't run since scoring at Ayr last March but CAVE TOP looked on very good terms with himself at Uttoxeter last month, scoring with a ton in hand, so a 6lb rise doesn't look insurmountable.
Clan Legend 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway when pecked 13th, closed after next, one pace in 4th 3 out, no extra next, 5th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Daklondike (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Just Don't Ask (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Pressed leader, led after 3rd to before 8th, remained close up, led again before 4 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure from 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan beating Minnies Secret (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bernardelli (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) With leader, led 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Lake View Lad (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Cave Top (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear before last, kept on, well in command flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Bob Ford (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Special Catch (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway on inside 7th, lost place before next, no impression when blundered 4 out, weakened and pulled up after, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Not that fluent, led, headed 4th, led 6th until 8th, mistake 12th, hit 4 out, no extra before 2 out, last of 5, 30l behind Instant Replay (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Made virtually all, clear 2 out, just pushed out flat, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Thedrinkymeister (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tayzar 11-2 (11-6) Held up in last, closed from 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, mistake 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Instant Replay (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
