held up, headway 11th, hit 13th, ridden 4 out, disputing 2nd last, no impression on winner, one pace
chased leaders, pushed along 11th, struggling next, last 13th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, pecked 13th, ridden 3 out, 5th and one pace last
held up on outside, jumped left 4 out, headway 2 out, 2nd from last, stayed on, not reach winner
with leader, slow 1st, led 4th, headed next, led 7th until reluctant on paddock bend before 10th, led 12th, headed 13th, led after 3 out, clear 2 out, idling last, driven out, held on
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, closed 6th, outpaced from 12th, well held 2 out
in rear, slow 4th, behind 10th, headway 14th, weakened 2 out
led until 4th, led 5th, not fluent next, headed 7th, pushed along before 9th, led approaching 10th, headed 12th, led 13th, mistake 3 out, soon headed, 4th and one pace last
Steps And Stairs didn't have too much to beat at Sedgefield last time but it would still have been a pleasing win for Henry Oliver on his first run for the yard. This contest poses a tougher question and it will be interesting to see if further progression can be unlocked despite a 5lb hike for that success. Course and distance winner Moorstown remains very lightly-raced for one of his age and looks dangerous off a mark of just 84 as he delivered a much-improved performance at Ayr last time over this trip. Spirit Of Hale is a possible but CRUISING BYE has a good record at this track and ran a nice first race back for Peter Bowen having rejoined the Pembrokeshire yard. He can improve again to score off what is a fair mark.
Steps And Stairs (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) In touch, took closer order before 10th, led 2 out, kept on towards finish, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Wood Pigeon (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
San Pietro (FR) 15-2 (11-6) In rear, weakened after 5 out, 4th of 8, dist behind Just Georgie (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Boyfromnowhere (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Always behind, 5th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Talk Of The South (10-6) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Cruising Bye 6-1 (11-2) Tracked winner, hampered 6th, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon no chance with leaders, plugged on to take remote 3rd near finish, 3rd of 14, 17 1/2l behind Houndscourt (10-9) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Spirit Of Hale (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Ran in snatches, jumped left 5th, reminder after 6th and after mistake 10th, 4th and no extra 2 out, 4th of 8, 16 1/4l behind How's My Friend (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Astigos (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside 2nd, led and mistake 7th, headed 11th, struggling from 14th, disputing modest 4th 2 out, 5th of 9, 26 1/2l behind Talk Of The South (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Moorstown (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) In rear, headway before 4 out, soon went 2nd, not fluent 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Smuggler's Stash (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Kilcascan 16-1 (10-4) Led 2nd, headed 6th, lost place after 12th, behind 4 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
