towards rear, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 4th, soon weakened
chased leader, led after 1st, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
led to after 1st, prominent, ridden after 4th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and chased leader approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, hit last, driven out flat
prominent, ridden 4th, one pace
prominent, chased leader 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, ridden 3rd and outpaced, rallied 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last
always behind, weakened 4th
Divine Gift could be anything, given his easy win on his hurdling debut and his class as a horse on the flat, however a long absence is enough to cast a doubt and so we will side with Chance Du Roy with Honour's Dream rated as a live danger. Desperate ground on this return from a long lay-off may just find out the likely favourite Divine Gift, and we prefer Chance Du Roy who has shown enough in some decent Novice races to suggest that a contest like this could be within his grasp. Having tried to mix it with Ashkazar at Sandown, he then ran a better race behind Stagehand here at Exeter and a repeat of that run may be enough. Mungo Jerry needs a check as a course and distance winner but he looks high enough at the weights at present and may have been flattered by that win when some of the more fancied horses didn't appear to run their races. Honour's Dream is sure to appreciate the drop in trip today having failed to stay last time out when chasing the hat-trick, whilst Purple Patch and Elegant Clutter shouldn't be dismissed down at the bottom of the handicap as each has experience on their side. At a price Paddy's Tern could go well despite the burden of top weight, however we will side with Chance Du Roy.
Paddy's Tern 7-2 (10-5) Prominent in chasing group, hit 4 out, no impression after next, 4th of 10, 33l behind Orcadian (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar '07.
Divine Gift 4-7fav (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead after 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, won at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Aug '06 beating Pearson Glen (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Honour's Dream (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 21l behind Deep Reflection (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Coconut Beach 20-1 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 14l behind Majaales (11-4) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders until lost place 3rd, hit next, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 14l behind Stagehand (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 14, 43l behind Lordsbridge (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Gold Ring 50-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 18, 49l behind Pagano (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Purple Patch 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until outpaced 5th, stayed on again approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 16l behind Lordsbridge (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Nemetan (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
