chased leaders early, losing place when hampered 4th, well behind from next
mid-division, headway after 5th, went 3rd 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, finished tired
led until 2nd, prominent, regained lead when blundered 4 out, clear 2 out, comfortably
prominent until 6th, soon weakened pulled up after 8th
always towards rear, lost touch 6th
held up some progress from 6th, went 3rd 3 out, never any chance, weakened next
chased leaders, blundered 4th, weakened after next, pulled up before 8th
in chasing group until weakened approaching 4 out
Wild Power looked much improved last time and Line Artic was a winner over course and distance back in March but for us MANLY MONEY looks best in what should be a very competitive handicap. The selection was the victor at Fontwell last time and has done well here in the past. The ground should suit and the blinkers look to be helping him to travel better he comes up against some tough opposition here, but he looks well since returning from injury and looks capable of following up. Line Artic will appreciate the sounder surface here and her best performances have come over this trip. The five-year-old mare was a course and distance winner last time and we expect her to be there or thereabouts at the finish. Talikos has been more miss than hit in the last two years, but there were signs here that he might yet finally win a race when last out. He travelled well and, though not finding as much as the winner, he looks the sort to be suited by a strong gallop and can figure here. Wild Power was a runner up at Fontwell on his most recent outing, ran his race, but he does have a less-than-convincing profile. Desert Storm finished runner up behind Line Artic and he may struggle to get past the mare here today. This should prove to be a very close race but for us Manly Money looks best.
Master d'Or (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Mid-division, struggling 6th, soon behind, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Galaxy Rock (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Held up when fell 12th, in a race won by Aheadofhistime (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Desert Storm (DEN) Evensfav (11-0) Led 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 35l behind Fade To Grey (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Line Artic (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, chased leader last, all out and kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Desert Storm (11-7) by nk, 11 ran.
Comkilred Champ (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 1st and 2nd, got keen and chased leaders 5th, weakened 4 out, eased after next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dis behind Pause And Clause (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Timpo (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, closed after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakening in 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Double The Trouble (10-2) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Manly Money 13-2 (11-12) Patiently ridden, held up in rear, hit 2nd, smooth headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, came clear next, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr beating Kinkeel (10-9) by 3l, 12 ran.
Beehawk 16-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, hung left before 2 out, hanging right when hampered flat, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Miss Pross (11-11) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Turbo Shandy 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Safari Journey (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Talikos (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Fit To Drive (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chase (4) gd in Apr.
Wild Power (GER) 11-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 5 out, switched right 2 out, every chance last and left 2nd, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
