led, joined 3rd, headed after 5 out, rallied and every chance next, no extra closing stages
always behind, weakened 5 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next
in touch, lost place 5 out
in touch, chased leaders halfway, effort 4 out, weakened after next
prominent, joined leader 3rd, led after 5 out, mistake and strongly challenged next, drew clear approaching last, easily
tracked leaders, slow 8th, soon lost place, behind 11th, pulled up before 4 out
Evan Williams won this in 2012 and again in 2014 so Nansaroy has to go on the short-list as he’s been making steady progress over fences and has his ground. Dusky Lark ploughed through the mud to get back to winning ways at Wincanton a month ago but he’s never raced over a trip this far and is now racing off a career-high mark. ROC D’APSIS was well behind Belmount at Hereford in the autumn but needed the run that day. He was more like his old self last time at Taunton and is back on a winning mark so gets the nod. Marcilhac still has stamina to prove but makes more appeal than the inconsistent Valleyofmilan and Gallery Exhibition.
Dusky Lark 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 9th, led next, clear 2 out, reduced lead flat, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Vic De Touzaine (11-1) by 2l, 10 ran.
Gallery Exhibition (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 8th, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Roc D'Apsis (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up last and well off the pace, headway 11th, chased leading trio after 4 out, stayed on into 2nd approaching the last, kept on same pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Calett Mad (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Belmount (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Always towards rear, weakened from 10th, pulled up after 13th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Nansaroy 11-2 (11-1) In touch, went 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner when blundered and rider lost irons last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Final Nudge (11-5) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Marcilhac (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Prominent until after 1st, not fluent 3rd, pushed along in last after 9th, mistake and well behind from 13th, 5th of 7, 35 1/4l behind Abracadabra Sivola (10-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) In touch, when fell 3rd, at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
