towards rear, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
always struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, hit 6th, chased winner after 4 out, every chance last, unable to quicken flat, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 9th, tailed off
close up on inside, ridden 9th, weakened before next, tailed off
chased leaders, driven into narrow lead 9th, kept slight advantage, hard driven from 3 out, all out to hold on near finish
chased leaders, under pressure 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
chased leaders, ridden and behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
well in rear, stayed on from 3 out, nearest finish
led until headed 9th, soon lost 2nd, stayed in 3rd, rallied well flat, closed on winner near finish
BALTHAZAR KING is taken to land a decent little contest, with Maraafeq respected and Hello Moscow another for the short list. The selection has had just five runs and is therefore open to improvement, and he was staying on well over 2m 4f at Folkestone last time. He handles cut in the ground and this extra furlong should be a plus so we'll take him to score. Spider Boy is a bit long in the tooth now but he did land a course and distance handicap hurdle from a 10lbs higher mark last spring so he is entitled to respect. However, Maraafeq may be a better proposition. Venetia Williams has her runners in tremendous form and this five-year-old has perhaps got more improvement to come, especially on bottomless ground. Hello Moscow is one to check the market on with A P McCoy riding for Jim Best, but he has it all to prove on this going, and Seraaphim may well give the selection plenty to do after a good effort at Doncaster last time and a penchant for both soft ground and this circuit. Balthazar King is taken to score.
Easter Legend 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Enhancer 10-3 (11-0) Held up, pushed along 9th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 46l behind Seymour Weld (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Maraafeq (USA) 7-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 6th and 2 out, soon ridden, blundered last, no extra when headed near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Midnight Chase (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Serhaaphim 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Balthazar King (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on without threatening, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mister Pink 13-2 (11-3) In touch, weakened 10th, tailed off after next, 5th of 8, well behind Phone In (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Hello Moscow (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, pushed along approaching 8th, lost 2nd just after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Isle de Maurice 40-1 (10-4) In rear, driven along after 3 out, never a factor, 9th of 19, 24l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Cashel Blue (USA) 6-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden, headway 6th, led 2 out, headed last, not match winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Synchronised (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Wildbach (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Stance (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft.
Geography (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened before 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Midnight Chase (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Spider Boy 33-1 (9-7) Led until after 5th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind Wise Men Say (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
