in touch until weakening approaching 2 out
held up in rear, ridden, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, not reached winner
always in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat
prominent until dropped behind approaching 1st, never a danger afterwards
held up in rear, effort 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway 3rd, ridden 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden, headway on inside approaching 2 out, weakened flat
prominent until weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 2nd, led on bit approaching 2 out, ridden out
led to headed after 3rd, ridden, weakened quickly 2 out
behind, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up in rear, headway 2nd, weakened 2 out
always towards rear
behind from 2nd
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, one pace flat
Nonrunner
Lorient Express, Lady Maranzi and Mistified are three against the field in another minefield for punters and as token vote is given to Lorient Express. The selection has been in good form of late over fences. He returns to hurdles off what looks a favourable mark and under conditions that suit he looks a value bet in an open affair. Lady Maranzi rates the main danger as she has won her last two races in good style notably when beating Shalati Princess. However this looks more competitive and her penalty may find her out. Mistified is another that could go well on his latest second behind Pure Magic but the drop in trip has to be of concern. Longueville Manor was a fair third behind Apollo One last time and is another with place claims but he is becoming expensive to follow. Of the remainder Georges Boy has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but in a trappy affair for the winner we return to the well handicapped Lorient Express.
Montesino 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 3rd, every chance 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Can Can Flyer (11-0) at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Moon Catcher 100-1 (9-7) Behind, hard ridden after 4th, never in contention, 8th of 12, 36l behind Admiral (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (B) gs in Oct.
Longueville Manor (FR) 4-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 2 out where mistake, no impression under pressure in 3rd from well before last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Apollo One (10-10) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl sft in Aug.
Georges Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Chased leaders until lost place after 2nd, not a danger after, 5th of 12, 18l behind Longstone Lady (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Dance With Wolves (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Held up, effort 4 out, no impression, 8th of 9, 38l behind Caliban (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb '05.
Mistified (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway appraoching 3 out, chased winner in vain from next, 2nd of 19, 9l behind Pure Magic (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
El Corredor (IRE) 11-2fav (11-1) Held up, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 46l behind Colophony (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Backstreet Lad 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Lorient Express (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, steady headway when hit 9th, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 21l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Harrival 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 10l behind Ghabesh (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Mar.
Border Star (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 3rd of 8, 13l behind It's Wallace (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in Oct '04.
Brown Fox (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 44l behind Sunnyarjun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Joli Classical (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out, very tired when fell at the last in race won by Ghabesh (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Mar, 14 ran.
Duke's View (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In rear, stumbled 4th, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Methodical (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Jan, 14 ran.
Without Pretense (USA) 40-1 (10-3) In touch until weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Lady Maranzi (11-8) at Chepstow 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Lady Maranzi 15-8fav (11-8) Led 1st, ridden clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Shalati Princess (10-6) by 9l, 11 ran.
Damarisco (FR) 11-2 (11-5) In touch, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Ghabesh (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Mar.
