in touch, badly hampered and fell 2nd
always behind, tailed off
jumped left, led after 1st, made rest, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well when hard pressed flat, just held on
tracked leaders, went left 2nd, blundered next, one pace 3 out, weakened from next
led to after 1st, chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and one pace after 3 out, soon beaten, modest 4th from next
mid-division, headway to chase winner after 4 out to before next, soon weakened, tailed off
behind, headway 2nd, lost place 4 out, headway before next, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press winner and every chance flat, just held
behind, headway under pressure after 4 out, chased winner before next, every chance last, kept on same pace flat
mid-division on outside, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
A tricky opener on paper but David Noonan's mount Still Together is worth a second look as he was well backed on his handicap debut over a much longer trip at Huntingdon last month and didn't last home. Norse Light is in decent form and won at Leicester in January while Fort Carson could go well on his first start for Neil King. Sartorial Elegance is another to consider and Dainty Diva has tumbled down the weights but the going is a concern for the returning Milan Of Crystal. THUNDERING HOME (NAP) hinted at a revival last time at Sandown so it's a surprise that the handicapper has dropped him another 6lb. On his form around this time last year, he looks thrown in.
Sartorial Elegance 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, soon headed, every chance before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 13, 21l behind Overtown Express (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Comte D'anjou 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 5th, pulled up after next, at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Bladoun (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leader, ridden before 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Wells De Lune (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Thundering Home 7-1 (11-4) In touch, effort and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Canadian Diamond (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Dainty Diva (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, well behind before 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Norse Light (11-2) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Norse Light 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, 4th and stayed on same pace from 2 out, hung right and rider dropped whip before last, 4th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Clyne (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Still Together (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Towards rear, headway from 8th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, 3rd and one pace next, weakened last, 4th of 12, 24 1/2l behind Ganbei (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Fort Carson (IRE) 13-2 (11-13) Held up in touch, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 6th, closed and pushed along between horses before straight, one pace from before 2 out, 3rd of 9, 16 1/4l behind Head Turner (11-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Feb.
Mother Meldrum (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, in 7th before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 17, dist behind Kelsey (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Milan Of Crystal (IRE) 17-2 (10-5) With leader until 2nd, lost place 4th, headway from 3 out, 2nd after next, led when not fluent last, pressed flat, pulled out enough towards finish, won at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Oct beating Island Villa (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Twyford 6-1 (10-7) Not fluent 1st, in rear, weakened 13th, tailed off when fell 4 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
