prominent, soon dropped to rear, well beaten when ridden approaching 3 out
towards rear, minor headway 2 out, kept on for fourth approaching last
midfield, shaken up when not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in but no match for first 2
always towards rear, made no impression
took keen hold, raced in second, led briefly 5th, ridden to lead 3 out, good jump last, kept on strongly run-in, easily
in touch with leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on run-in but no match for winner
led, briefly headed 5th, ridden and weakened when headed approaching 3 out
Fransham has won five times around here but was nowhere near his best on his latest visit. Word Has It didn't take to heavy ground at Kelso back in February and might just need this while Excelcius won four times in Ireland with all Turf victories coming on good going. The veteran Mcgowan's Pass is on a very fair mark if ready after a break but KELLAHEN (NAP) could be a blot on the handicap. Seven times a winner on the Flat in Germany, he landed a novices' hurdle at Bangor in convincing style last month and a mark of 122 could prove lenient.
Aramax (GER) 80-1 (11-6) In rear, in touch, pushed along and lost touch after 4 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Good Risk At All (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Fransham 5-1 (12-0) Mid-division, took closer order approaching 3 out, ridden next, no extra from last, 5th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Homme Public (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Word Has It (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Raced on inside in 4th, went 3rd turning in, no chance with leading duo, tired mistake last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 31 1/2l behind Stainsby Girl (10-9) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Excelcius (USA) 25-1 (12-0) Kept wide early, held up off the pace in 4th, weakened into last place before 3 out, fell next, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Lebowski (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Behind, good headway chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened rapidly between last two, tailed off, 18th of 22, dist behind Suprise Package (11-1) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Kellahen (GER) 12-1 (11-0) Close up, chased leader 3 out, every chance next, ridden to lead approaching next, ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov beating Ivar (11-0) by 6l, 13 ran.
McGowan's Pass 11-1 (11-0) Midfield, headway and led 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed before last, no extra run in, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Playful Saint (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
