led to 4th, tracked leaders, blundered next, lost place 3 out, behind next
in touch, left in lead after 6th, headed 8th, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 2 out, every chance last, no extra final 100 yards
mid-division, towards rear 6th, headway and in touch 8th, challenged 3 out, led briefly 2 out, soon ridden, one pace last
mid-division on outside, lost place 3 out, soon behind
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, challenged and every chance last, soon ridden, one pace flat
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance on inside between last 2, one pace flat
prominent, left in lead 6th until almost carried out by loose horse soon after, behind, in touch again next, reminder after 8th, led 3 out, headed briefly next, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on same pace
raced keenly, prominent, led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
behind, headway into mid-division when mistake 2 out, soon outpaced, never on terms
behind, outpaced 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
mid-division on outside, in touch 8th, outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last
towards rear, headway on outside 8th, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last
mid-division on inside, in touch 6th, lost place 3 out, weakened after next
towards rear, mid-division on inside after 6th, lost place 3 out, behind from next
tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and unseated rider 6th
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, kept on
towards rear, chased leaders before 2 out, weakened before last
Withdrawn
Shocks are not uncommon in this with four of the last five winners starting at 16/1 or bigger. Six and seven-year-olds have dominated proceedings but there a few younger challengers with decent claims this time. New Horizons beat a subsequent winner over 2m5f at Kempton and should be thereabouts if staying the longer trip. Robbie Rabbit has barely run a bad race so far while Tanit River is on a hat-trick after wins at Warwick and Chepstow. DREAM DEAL would have finished a lot closer at Ascot in December had he not ploughed through the last. Still unexposed over this trip, he may have benefited from a break and the better ground shouldn't be a problem. Optimistic Bias won nicely at Southwell and is on the upgrade, as is Chepstow scorer Tea Time Fred. Atlantic Gold and Amidon are others with each-way claims in a wide-open heat.
Boardwalk Empire (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, driven after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 12l behind Kilgeel Hill (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Polamco (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Chased leader, stumbled 5th, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd and weakened rapidly before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Invicta Lake (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Wizards Bridge 5-2fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, strongly pressed and egded right under pressure run-in, held on gamely, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar beating The Road Ahead (10-5) by hd, 8 ran.
Atlantic Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Midfield, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge after 2 out, kept on same pace before last, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Mawaqeet (10-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Dream Deal 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened and struggling in 5th when blundered last, 7th of 10, 13l behind Batavir (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Amidon (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Took keen hold chasing leaders, not fluent 5th, mistake next, led approaching when mistake and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Herbert Park (11-4) at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Thats My Rabbit (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Robbie Rabbit (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, reminder after 4th, ridden and stayed on same pace after 2 out, rallied flat, stayed on well, closing towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Signed Request (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Drumlee Lad (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Earthmoves (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Chicoria (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) In rear, effort after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, last of 6, 41l behind No No Mac (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Maybe Plenty 11-4 (10-12) Led, headed after 2nd, led 6th, ridden and headed when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Broxbourne (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Flying Bandit (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th from last, 4th of 12, 15l behind Minella Rocco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Tea Time Fred 11-4 (10-10) Raced keenly tracking leading pair, led 3 out, clear from next, kept on strongly, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar beating Sonny The One (11-9) by 10l, 6 ran.
Tanit River (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up and behind, mistake 2nd, steady headway after 4th, 3rd 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on to lead before the last, clear when blundered last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Mar beating Billy My Boy (10-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
New Horizons (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Soon led, headed approaching 5th, hard driven before 4 out, rallied after 2 out, led again last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar beating Kublai (11-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
Dontminddboys (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) In touch, jumped slowly 4th and lost place, slow again next, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Border Breaker (11-9) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (4) gs in Mar.
Stars Royale (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, driven 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Gamain (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Roll On Ruby (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, led before when not fluent last, headed closing stages, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Bold Adventure (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Jaunty Inflight 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, led before next, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Golden Milan (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Derrintogher Bliss (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Milansbar (11-12) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
