tracked winner after 1st, not much room 5th, lost place before mistake 3 out, well beaten and disputing 3rd when fell 2 out
held up in rear, headway going well after 4 out, 2nd before next, challenged from 2 out, ridden before last, driven and no impression final 150 yards
made all, ridden before 3 out, pressed from next, stayed on gamely, in command final 150 yards
chased winner until after 1st, stayed handy, not fluent 4th, niggled along 7th, last 4 out, soon weakened
NonRunner
Happy Diva couldn’t quicken dropping back to 2m4f at Sandown behind Colin’s Sister but that was a Grade 2 race and she was fourth at that level here on her previous outing. Kerry Lee’s mare looks a worthy favourite but, taken literally, TAWS’ run behind Finian’s Oscar at Exeter was a big step forward from her debut at Fontwell. She stayed extreme distance on the Flat so a first try over 3m should elicit further progress and she’s a viable alternative. Lastbutnotleast won over 3m between the flags and has won both starts over hurdles with the minimum of fuss so shouldn’t be ignored. Lingfield third Naranja is another likely to improve for a test of stamina and adds to the interest but Braventura was very disappointing at Chepstow in December and Taunton winner Avithos looks to be well out of her depth.
Braventara 11-4jfav (10-11) Led, soon clear, reduced advantage when hit 4 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 10, 29 3/4l behind Robinroyale (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (4) gd in Dec.
Happy Diva (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Keen, tracked leader, led before 2nd, hit 4th and next, headed when mistake and stumbled 2 out, soon one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Colin's Sister (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Lastbutnotleast (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on to come clear flat, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb beating Which One Is Which (11-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Naranja 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 4th until next, chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, mistake and lost 2nd last, driven and one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind The Nipper (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Taws 9-1 (10-10) Led until 3rd, chased winner, pushed along and readily held from 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Finian's Oscar (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Feb.
Avithos 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, came clear before next, easily, won at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb beating Viking Mistress (11-5) by 4l, 17 ran.
