always in rear, tailed off
mistake 1st, close up until lost place and driven after 4 out, only 7th 3 out, rallied strongly on inside from 2 out, chased leaders before last, strong run to lead final 120 yards, won going away
led, headed 3rd, chased leader until next, chased leaders, blundered and weakened 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling 4 out, switched left before last, plugged on same pace flat
close up, went 2nd before and hit 2 out, driven to lead after last, headed and not pace of winner final 120 yards
chased leaders, led 3rd, joined 2 out, headed after last, kept on same pace flat
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and in touch next, no impression from last
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 4 out, not fluent and weakened 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, shaken up and kept on flat, nearest finish
chased leader until before 2 out, stumbled and weakened last
always in rear, blundered 4 out, tailed off
This looks an interesting contest for the time of year with Cleaver a leading contender despite his advancing years. Lady Herries' 10-year-old is still a decent sort on the Flat and found only one too good in a couple of starts over hurdles in March. Togiak, another fair sort on the level, should improve for the better ground while Batonnier has already finished second at Market Rasen and Southwell this spring. Maid Of Silk has shown promise in bumpers and newcomer Jezza has been in great form on the all-weather over the winter but another chance is given to MILGEN BAY. He's been keeping better company and didn't appear to get home over further at Ascot last time.
Baroque Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) With leader, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 33l behind Adrenalin Flight (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Cleaver 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, took keen hold, chased winner approaching 2 out, switched right after 2 out, stayed on flat, always just held, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Hildisvini (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Illuminative (USA) 14-1 (10-9) In rear when fell 2nd, in a race won by Lava Lamp (10-9) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr, 8 ran.
Jezza 5-4fav (9-12) In touch, switched right 5f out, headway to lead over 4f out and increase pace, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, no extra near finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Parhelion (9-10) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar (flat).
Midnight King 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms, 4th of 12, 21l behind Abergavenny (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Milgen Bay 10-3 (11-0) In touch, led 3 out, narrowly headed well before 2 out, led again soon after, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened and no chance with leading duo, hit last, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Invictus (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Sharmon 50-1 (10-12) In touch in rear, headway to track leader after 5th, weakened after 3 out, hampered next, 4th of 5, 35l behind Hibiki (11-5) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gf.
Deux Etoiles (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, never a factor, last of 9, well behind Dolatulo (11-5) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Goodnight Alfie (FR) Martaline gelding out of Viva Vodka.
Togiak (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 14, 49l behind Dhaafer (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Maid Of Silk (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, challenged 5f out, every chance 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 24l behind Golden Firebird (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mares n h flat (4) gd in Apr.
Silsula 33-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division aqnd keen, ridden over 4f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 16l behind Victor Echo (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Batonnier (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until 3 out, went 2nd again before next, challenged and every chance when mistake last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Grandads Horse (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Overlay 25-1 (10-7) Held up in 5th, reminders and went 4th before 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Araldur (11-6) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
