mid-division, lost place before 6th and in rear, tailed off 3 out
towards rear, soon with leaders on outer, weakened from 3 out
in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden to lead last, held on towards finish
mid-division, headway 7th, challenged before 2 out, one pace
in rear, headway before 6th, led 6th, ridden and headed last, every chance run-in, kept on and held near finish
led to 6th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out
CAFE AU LAIT had been running consistently without winning before a comfortable victory at Wetherby last week. He can race from the same mark here and will be very difficult to beat as he looks very well handicapped nowadays. Hugh's Secret finished a well-beaten fifth in that race and Pertuis unseated his rider at the start. Nafaath has plenty of winning form on the Flat and over hurdles, though his most recent efforts have been moderate. His last run in this grade produced a victory at Uttoxeter, however, so he's not one to dismiss lightly. Bonvilston Boy has twice finished third in nine starts over timber but been beaten a long way in both.
Nafaath (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 4th, closed next, one pace 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Lady Buttons (11-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Pertuis (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Jinked and unseated rider start, at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 13, 28 1/2l behind Present Times (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Bonvilston Boy 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 6th, led 3 out, headed before next, no impression on winner, lost 2nd last, one pace, 3rd of 16, 19l behind Bandon Roc (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Cafe Au Lait (GER) 9-4fav (10-8) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 4 out, upsides 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb beating Minella Suite (11-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Torero 28-1 (11-5) Led until 4th, led again next, headed before 4 out, rallied before 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 6, 19 1/2l behind Mr Snoozy (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (5) gs in Jan.
Hugh's Secret (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, hampered 4th, led briefly after 4 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place flat, 5th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Cafe Au Lait (10-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
