chased leader, after 2f, challenged over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader for 2f, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner
led to over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, came wide into straight, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
took keen hold, held up and behind, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong and lost 3rd near finish
steadied start, held up, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous
held up, behind leaders, led over 1f out, driven out
A decent contest here and one that can be taken by TOUS LES DEUX who should have too much for Ravi River over this trip. The latter has won his last two races both here and at Kempton over 7f and he is clearly on good terms with himself. He has rarely been tried over this far, and has gone well enough when doing so, but his stamina might give out when tested by the Gary Moore-trained Tous Les Deux. The six-year-old is also in a rich vein of form and has a course and distance win to his name. He remains on the same highly competitive mark as when just touched off last time and we think he can get his nose back in front. The handicapper looks to have a grip on the abilities of Tourist, who has run well enough in defeat here and has gone up 1lb for making the frame again last time. This will be tough enough. Just Bond is tried in first-time headgear and if he could recapture his best then from this mark he could be a major player. Rainbow Mirage acts here and just looked handicapped to the hilt for now, and the same can be said of Cornus, so we'll side with Tous Les Deux.
Scartozz 10-1 (8-8) Raced keenly on outer, prominent, ridden over 3f out, no headway and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Suits Me (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Expresso Star (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
Ravi River (IRE) 5-4fav (9-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well and in command final furlong, won at Kempton 7f clm (6) pol in Feb beating Obe Royal (9-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
Tous Les Deux 8-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inner 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, stayed on well to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Al Muheer (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Tourist 4-1 (8-4) Steadied start, raced keenly in touch, chased leading pair 3f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Spectait (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Just Bond (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leader until ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dream of Fortune (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Cornus 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 7th of 9, 3l behind Bahamian Lad (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Stand Guard (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
