took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened after 3 out, not fluent 2 out
raced wide, tracked leader, led approching 4th, headed after 3 out, one pace 2 out
held up, pushed along 4th, headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, weakened 2 out
pulled hard, held up, lost touch 4th
held up in rear, headway travelling strongly to go 2nd 4th, led on bit after 3 out, clear when mistake last, easily
led until approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
NONO LE SAGE seems the proverbial handicap blip and he should account for Tom O'Tara and Byblos. David Pipe's charge waltzed in by eight lengths at the last meeting and on that evidence appears to be quite some way ahead of the handicapper. The bookmakers are likely to price up accordingly. Tom O'Tara has had two victories from his last two starts. It will be interesting to see how he copes now that the ground has started to dry out. Byblos has yet to show much in the way of worthwhile form though should be fit enough following a run on the flat. Lemon Silk has lost his way badly whilst Monkhair found Chepstow a tough ask and may be much more at home under these less testing conditions. Coeur Brule ran a career best at Taunton last time out though in truth, that isn't really saying a lot. Nono Le Sage won in the manner of a horse that could run up a sequence and the second leg could start here.
Everyman 66-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 18, 47l behind Knight In Purple (10-4) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Tom O'Tara 9-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to lead after 2nd, headed 3 out, regained lead last, hung left flat, all out, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb beating Nous Voila (10-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up in 7th, headway after 3 out to chase winner before 2 out until no impression before last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Harcourt (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Coeur Brule (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Held up, progress to be in touch after 3rd, chased winner 4 out, joined winner and every chance 2 out, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Michigan Assassin (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Monkhair (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4yo nov clm hdl (5) hvy in Jan '09.
Nono Le Sage (FR) 9-4fav (9-13) Held up in rear, headway on inside 4th, challenged 3 out, led on bit and came to stands rail approaching 2 out, drew clear flat, easily, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd beating Blinded Bythelight (10-4) by 8l, 11 ran.
Simiola 50-1 (9-9) Always behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Devils River (11-1) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Byblos 50-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 28l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
