chased leaders, joined leaders 4th until weakened approaching 6th, held off
chased leaders, lost place after 5th, hard ridden after next, rallied 3 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead final strides
held up, headway 6th to track leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, headway after 5th to join leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, mistake and headed next, weakened flat
in touch on outer, led after 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, led soon after next, no extra when headed close home
towards rear, headway to track leaders 6th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
prominent until 5th, soon behind, tailed off
led, headed after 5th, weakened quickly, pulled up after 3 out
Mariday gets the vote over Rojabaa, with Alasil and Brave Spirit best of the remainder. This is a poor race to open proceedings, and Mariday has a decent chance of gaining his first career victory. A maiden on the Flat for Lady Herries, the gelding at least has fitness on his side, having finished third at Plumpton last month. He has only raced on soft ground once, but in the hope that he will act on today's conditions, he is selected ahead of Rojabaa. The latter has been busy of late and should be prominent for most of the way, but he is likely to be found wanting at the business end. Alasil has not been out since March but has raced here a few times, while Brave Spirit is interesting off this lowly mark, but he will be one to back when reverting to fences. All in all, this weak affair can go to Mariday.
Alasil (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 12th of 13, well behind Golden Chalice (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Mar.
Brave Spirit (FR) 7-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden after 13th, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 36l behind Whitenzo (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Mar.
Mariday 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, chased winner 6th to after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Madison de Vonnas (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct.
North Lodge (GER) 50-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon lost touch, 10th of 18, 26l behind Rood Boy (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Photographer (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Pulled hard in touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 16, 17l behind Artemise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec '03.
Presenting Express (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 4 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Woodenbridge Dream (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Feb.
Rojabaa 10-1 (10-5) Led to 4th, ridden 6th, stayed on to go 3rd after last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Idle Journey (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) frm in Oct.
Gotta Get On 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 6th, 6th of 11, well behind Zaffre (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Puff At Midnight 18-1 (9-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden 9th, soon weakened, 12th of 16, well behind Sword Lady (11-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Feb.
