pulled hard in rear, blundered 3rd, headway 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, pressed leader 6th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, joined leader 4th, led next, 3 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on
led, ridden and headed 5th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, mistake 2nd, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
held up, weakened quickly after 3rd, pulled up before next
Art History was easily the best of these on the Flat but ran out on his hurdling debut at Doncaster and was again wayward when second to Crafty Roberto at Newbury in January. He could outclass these if a break has ironed his quirks but, on balance, recent Exeter runner-up KIAN'S DELIGHT looks the safer option and gets the vote. Persian Herald has had a run on the Flat since finishing second at Plumpton but needs to improve if he is to go one better here while Lauberhorn has looked a bit one-paced so far, but is still preferred to stable companion Maher.
Arkaim 8-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Nolecce (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar (flat).
Art History (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leading pair, left 2nd at 2nd, ridden and hung left after 3 out, left in 4 lengths lead next, idled badly, hanging left and 3 lengths ahead when went left last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Crafty Roberto (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Kian's Delight 5-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, soon every chance and chased winner, kept on and no impression before last, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Bold Henry (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Maher (USA) 22-1 (10-7) Always in rear, struggling 4 out, left in moderate 4th at last, 4th of 7, well behind Sonoran Sands (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Persian Herald 17-2 (10-9) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Greyfriars Drummer (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Apr.
W Six Times 100-1 (10-2) Not fluent in rear, well beaten after 6th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind One Term (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Highcliffe 66-1 (10-6) Always behind, slow 2nd, mistake 4th, lost touch 5th, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Lastchanceforlisa (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Forge The Way (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, outpaced over 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 6th of 7, 47l behind Whisky Yankee (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Lauberhorn 40-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, lost place when jumped slowly next, never back on terms, well held 3 out, 7th of 14, 39l behind Red Inca (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
