took keen hold, led until 2nd, settled in 4th, weakened 5th, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside before 3 out, chased leaders before 2 out, chased winner before last, every chance last, strong challenge and upsides flat, just failed
took keen hold, led 2nd, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, mistake 2 out, went badly right last
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway to get in behind leaders 4 out, ridden and stumbled 4 out, weakened next
raced wide, behind, went right 2 out, passed beaten horses approaching last, tailed off
in touch on inside, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, soon joined and pressed, held on gamely, all out
raced wide, always towards rear, tailed off
held up towrads rear, headway after 7th, chased leaders before 3 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on again under pressure to moderate 4th last
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
chased leader, led 3rd until 3 out, led briefly again soon after, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened after 7th, soon behind, tailed off
took keen hold, held up towards rear, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
An interesting opener with a number of contenders likely to win races. MILGEN BAY has been brought along steadily by Oliver Sherwood and only went down in a triple photo finish at Doncaster last time, showing a resolute attitude after coming under pressure. He gets the trip well and can improve again to land this. The dangers include Mawsem, ideally suited by trip and ground after showing promise to date, while Barbatos has also displayed potential. Invictus will no doubt be popular again but he has disappointed in a variety of ways so far and a watching brief is advised for now. Spirit Is Needed will relish this step up in trip however.
Abayaan 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led narrowly before 2 out, headed before last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hes Our Lad (10-10) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Barbatos (FR) 5-2fav (10-6) Held up in touch, challenged 3 out, 3rd and beaten last, stayed on same pace, 5th of 11, 9l behind Golden Chieftain (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Chasing Aces 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, hung right and wandered under pressure inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov beating Forever Waining (11-2) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Cheney Manor 9-1 (10-7) Held up in 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 47l behind Current Event (10-7) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Halucha (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 8f out, outpaced by leaders final 3f, 6th of 12, 26l behind Ambion Wood (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Invictus (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 5th, hit 3 out and ridden, weakened well before 2 out, 10th of 17, 45l behind Skint (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Joinedupwriting 100-1 (10-10) Raced wide, always towards rear, tailed off, 6th of 10, 42l behind Galiotto (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Mawsem (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) In touch, disputing 2nd and ridden after 3 out, outpaced by front pair before next, stayed on approaching last to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Sunley Peace (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Milgen Bay 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead before 3 out, headed narrowly after last, kept on gamely run-in, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, shd behind Whispering Death (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Spirit Is Needed (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 3rd, mistake next, headed 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon led again, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Management (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Topthorn 150-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Hit The Headlines (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
The Gurner (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Always in rear, struggling 5f out, soon tailed off, last of 8, well behind Medinas (10-8) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
