held up, took keen hold, closed 6th, not much room when mistake 3 out, never back on terms after, well held when not fluent last
tracked leader, led after 3rd, jumped left and headed 5th, not keen briefly and lost place on paddock bend soon after, not fluent 7th, ridden next, rallied approaching 2 out, went 3rd when jumped left last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in last, headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 2nd after next, quickened to lead close home
held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden 8th, headway 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
led until after 3rd, led 5th, ridden and tried to assert approaching last, headed close home
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, challenged 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, 4th and beaten last
Devotion To Duty left previous hurdles form behind when sweeping to a 10-length victory at Musselburgh last month. He's been put up 8lb for that effort but is probably still on a decent mark. French import La Bombonera may just need this, while Nortonthorpe Lad has been off the track since winning at Newton Abbot last May. Open Day has yet to recapture his best so far this season but Briefcase doesn't look badly treated on his handicap debut and Drill Sergeant could figure dropped in grade - he was still in touch when brought down at Ascot last time. But the vote goes to NUMIDE, who has been in fine form recently and was noted staying on strongly over an inadequate trip at Taunton eight days ago when racing from out of the handicap proper. A similar effort here would probably suffice.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Held up in rear on outside, cajoled along 4th, headway approaching 6th, soon challenging, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May beating Robo (10-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
Drill Sergeant 5-1 (9-10) Chasing leaders when brought down 6th, in a race won by Act Of Kalanisi (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
La Bombonera (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Thisbee Du Mathan (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f chs in Jun.
Numide (FR) 15-2 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up last, hit 2nd, headway on inside before 2 out, driven and stayed on under pressure flat, took 2nd close home, not pace to reach winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ciceron (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Open Day (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Always behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, 32l behind Act Of Kalanisi (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Disputed 2nd, led after 4 out, clear last, driven out, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Amir Pasha (10-9) by 10l, 6 ran.
Briefcase (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 29l behind Brampour (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
