made all, under pressure last, ridden flat, kept on well towards finish
soon tracking winner, jumped right 2nd, blundered badly 4 out, weakened from 2 out
prominent, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, in touch, badly hampered 4 out, ridden approaching last, one pace
held up, towards rear and keen, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up, towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along to chase winner approaching 3 out, challenged and every chance last, switched left and ridden flat, kept on towards finish
held up, towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up, headway to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
A competitive opener and we will take SAN MARINO to take it with Cabinet Minister and Sir Kezbaah worthy of interest. The course specialist seems to have few issues in relation to the soft going and while well held at Taunton last time out, he was taking on a couple of very useful novices. Cabinet Minister may have needed his reappearance from absence. He had shown great promise earlier on in his career so if the latent ability can be reached, he has to be a player. Sir Kezbaah takes a drop in trip having obliged at Lingfield over further. Victor Dartnall's horses are in good order at present so the market is watched. The Hairy Lemon was in the grip of the handicapper for quite some time. He has without a chance if the stable's recent run is taken into consideration. Highest Start was listed class on the level in France and is off a light enough racing weight this afternoon. Rathrockscourt won back to back races in Autumn though was well held when capsizing at the course in December. Chance Du Roy has shown an aptitude for this surface in the past though recent efforts off today's mark have yielded little fruit for his supporters. San Marino is our suggestion.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led, headed 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 15, 30l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Ashfield's Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, narrowly headed after 4 out, chased leader, left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, outpaced and no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
San Marino (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Led, hit 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon lost 2nd, no extra before last, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Ghizao (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened soon after 3 out, 9th of 11, 36l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Rathrockscourt (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders and keen, led 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, fell last, in a race won by Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
The Hairy Lemon 7-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, headway to dispute 4th after 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, kept on, always held flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd when hit 7th, chased leader from next, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Flanagan (11-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
Only For Sue 16-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, joined winner after 3rd, lost place and weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quinte Du Chatelet (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Highest Start (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no danger, 4th of 10, 14l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Kyoto (GER) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in last pair, pushed along, outpaced approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 4l behind Campfire Tales (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.