led until 4th, driven in last after 6th, weakened before 3 out
pressed leader, led 4th, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression last
held up in touch in last, closed from 7th, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders on outside, took keen hold, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten before next, soon weakened
Nonrunner
This is a competitive heat, despite the small field. Alternatif made a winning start for David Pipe at Kempton but has more to do now off a 9lb higher mark. Heronry was second to the in-form Shammick Boy at Wincanton last month and Dragon's Den is back in the right grade. But Saint Breiz is likely to need this while veteran Arrayan is a pound out of the handicap and essentially a plater nowadays. The unexposed AMANTO looked a little one-paced over shorter here at the start of the month so should do better today with blinkers applied for the first time - he gets the nod.
Heronry (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led before 5th, clear after 3 out, ridden and reduced lead before 2 out, headed soon after last,, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Shammick Boy (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Alternatif (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Made virtually all, all out towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Theinval (11-5) by nk, 11 ran.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, never involved, 6th of 8, 21l behind Polamco (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Saint Breiz (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led next, headed 4 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Ned Stark (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Amanto (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, went modest 3rd before the last until towards finish, 4th of 10, 14l behind Dusky Lark (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f (3) sft.
Arrayan 14-1 (10-8) Led and soon clear, further clear before 3rd, reduced lead and headed 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 7, 14l behind Thundering Home (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
