held up in last place, improved to 3rd at 10th, ridden and beaten at next
close up, led 3rd, made rest, unchallenged
held up in touch, improved to chase winner 8th, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
led, headed 3rd, remained close up, ridden and weakened 9th
held up in touch, reminded after 7th, weakened 4 out
chased leader until 2nd, ridden and lost place 6th, behind from 8th
Dundridge Native will prove hard to beat with Domenico and Flower Haven both worth noting. The selection carries a penalty for his recent win at Plumpton and although that was his first ever win he is still potentially well treated. He deserved to get his head in front as he had been running well in defeat and connections have picked the ideal opportunity for him to follow up here. Domenico has top weight to carry but looks like he has come back to near his best. He has been around for some time but he was in winning action at Lingfield before running with credit off today's mark last time out. He has to be respected once again. Flower Haven will find life tougher with a ten pound rise for winning a poor contest at Hexham so is possibly best watched. So for the winner we return to Dundridge Native.
Domenico (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 11, 13l behind Blaze Ahead (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Dundridge Native 7-2 (11-4) With leader, left in lead after 10th, ridden and ran on well, won at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov beating Big John Macarty (11-3) by 10l, 12 ran.
Flower Haven 12-1 (10-13) In touch, headway 7th, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Nov beating Seveneightsix (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Water Pistol 20-1 (10-1) Chased leader, lost place 4th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Osako D'airy (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Matinee Idol 12-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along and outpaced after 6th, chased winner 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Green Prospect (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Regal River (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, struggling 4 out, 9th of 14, 41l behind Read All About It (10-9) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
