tracked leader, led 4th, made rest, comfortable
led, headed 4th, mainly tracked winner after, ridden and left clear 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, 3rd and held when fell 2 out
close up in rear, ridden and not fluent 3 out, ducked right and refused approaching 2 out
SMURPHY ENKI scored over the minimum here and was thrust into Grade 1 company at Sandown but weakened from 2 out in the heavy conditions. This is more his level and he can get back to winning ways. Astigar was narrowly beaten in a Uttoxeter bumper and a maiden hurdle at Exeter and can't have been right when pulled up on the latter track next time. Whydah Gally was a long way behind the selection here in December.
Smurphy Enki (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, jumped slowly and mistake next, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off soon after, pulled up before last, at Sandown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Astigar (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Held up towards rear on outside, headway from 4th, ridden and struggling after 7th, well beaten when pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Filthy Lucca 200-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced 4 out, left behind after 3 out, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Jan.
Whydah Gally 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Longshanks (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Feb.
Mr Yeats (IRE) 250-1 (10-8) In rear, ridden after 4th, plugged on past beaten horses from 4 out, no extra, 9th of 16, dist behind Quinta Do Mar (11-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
African Dance (IRE) 1-8fav (11-8) Made all, pushed clear bypassing omitted 2 out, very easily, unchallenged (only 2 hurdles jumped), won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan beating Manhattan Bullet (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 3 ran.
