held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, headway after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last
prominent, led 3rd, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra
held up towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders
hit 2nd, behind from 5th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway 6th, slipped on bend approaching 7th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division until outpaced after 6th, some late progress from 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out
behind from 6th
mid-division until weakened after 7th
soon struggling and always behind
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
led until 3rd, with leader, stumbled 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 7th
Scarface, Hill Forts Henry and Northern Link are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Scarface. The selection won well last time out when beating Zila and although he has a penalty for that win he has won off a higher mark in the past and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Hill Forts Henry rates the main danger on his best form but he gave the impression he was in the handicappers grip when seventh behind Charm Offensive and he has also yet to win over this trip and he looks vulnerable on that basis. Northern Link is another worthy of respect on hid latest second behind All Square especially as the step up in trip is sure to suit. Of the others Granite Man is from a yard in form and has dropped to a handy mark and with his yard in form he should be noted in the market and with this in mind for the winner we return to Scarface.
Scarface 9-4fav (11-5) Led to approaching 4th, led again 3 out to approaching 2 out, regained lead after 2 out, ran on gamely close home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl (5) gd beating Zilla (9-11) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Arc Of Stone (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Led 1st, soon headed, in touch until weakened after 4th, 10th of 16, 33l behind Manners (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Northern Link (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader, led after 7th, ridden approaching last, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind All Square (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Granite Man (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Soon behind, 7th of 11, well behind Tuesday's Child (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Lady Alderbrook (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) In touch, lost place 6th, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leaders, 6th of 13, 21l behind Manawanui (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Hill Forts Henry 9-4fav (10-10) Soon mid-division, not fluent 5th, dropped rear 7th, never a danger after, 7th of 9, 14l behind Charm Offensive (10-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) frm in Apr.
Lancier d'Estruval (FR) 5-1 (12-5) Last to 7; rdn 14; chsd wnr 3 out; no imp, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Ichi Cavalo (12-10) at Parham 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Great Compton 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division until 7th, soon tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind English Jim (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Nov.
