led, not fluent 4th, headed soon after, chased winner to 8th, outpaced by front pair after 4 out, well held from next
held up in rear, lost touch when hit 6th, soon eased, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led after 4th, made rest, joined after 4 out, ridden clear after 2 out, stayed on, comfortably
tracked front pair, went 2nd at 8th, joined winner after 4 out, one pace when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last
held up in 4th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge
A intriguing affair, despite the small field. Dunraven Storm had Parsnip Pete back in fourth when taking this last year off a pound higher mark but has to give weight to younger and less-exposed rivals. Meldrum Lad has done really well since joining Seamus Durack and is on a four-timer. Artifice Sivola is two from two at the track but has looked in the handicapper’s grip in his last two. A LITTLE MAGIC jumped well and had plenty left in the tank when getting back to winning ways at Market Rasen last month and the improving six-year-old can defy another 8lb rise to follow up here.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) With leader, led after 3rd, mistake 12th, headed before next, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 37 1/2l behind Astracad (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Parsnip Pete 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, blundered badly and lost place 7th, behind after 8th, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
A Little Magic (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Raced freely, made all, went clear when mistake 3 out, reduced lead after 2 out, driven and stayed on well to draw clear again flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Ash Park (11-2) by 7l, 3 ran.
Artifice Sivola (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) With leader, led 6 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Rock On Rocky (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Meldrum Lad (IRE) 13-8 (11-1) Raced keenly, held up in 4th place until good jump tracking clear leader 4th until mistake 12th, closing 2nd again 4 out, led before next, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Innocent Girl (10-9) by 10l, 4 ran.
