made all, soon well clear, over 25 lenghts ahead 6th, 7 lenghts clear 3 out, ridden before next, clung on gamely
held up in main group, not always fluent, ridden 7th, weakened approaching next, tailed off before 4 out and soon pulled up
held up in main group, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, 3rd when hit next, weakened last
in touch in main group, hampered 4th, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
led main group well behind winner until 3rd, went 2nd again after 8th, closed to within 7 lenghts 3 out, 3 lenghts down last, edged left flat, stayed on
prominent in main group, chased winner 3rd, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd after next, weakened 9th, tailed off
held up in main group, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Vivarini and Marodima are clearly respected but it could be worth siding with THE REAL DEAL instead. Marodima is due to race from an 11lb higher mark in the future but he has a mile further to travel than he did at Ludlow and it's hard to see everything falling into his lap as it did on that occasion; it could be some time before he wins again. Vivarini has been progressing really well at a more modest level and may be able to cope with an 11lb rise for a wide margin win at Fakenham which was his third success in four starts; this is tougher but he looks well worth his place in the line-up. That's Rhythm is still relatively unexposed and has claims along with Key Cutter and Thedeboftheyear who both look capable of winning further races at around this trip but a chance is taken with Nick Williams' runner. The Real Deal is better known as a handicap chaser but has been campaigned under both disciplines of late having rather lost his way. He's slipped down the weights as a result but ran his most encouraging race for some time when fourth behind Alfie Sherrin at Newbury last time out. That race has already thrown up a couple of winners and The Real Deal could go close if he can build on that here.
Marodima (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Led 1st, clear approaching 3 out, ridden flat, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Marchand D'argent (10-12) by 32l, 9 ran.
That's Rhythm (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 18l behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Pagan Starprincess 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, reminders 4th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Thedeboftheyear 11-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, in touch, challenged 4 out, chased winner next until 2 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 17, 13l behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
The Real Deal (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, kept on, one pace after 2 out, 4th of 18, 9l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Key Cutter (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Led, ridden 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Vivarini Evensfav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to track leader 9th, led before 3 out, drew well clear before next, eased right down towards finish, won at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Quartz Dore (10-11) by 30l, 6 ran.
So Now (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Sibenek (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 8th, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tarateeno (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
