held up in rear, headway into 4th after 6th, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, never on terms, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
held up towards rear, driven and outpaced 3 out, stayed on into modest 3rd before last, no chance with front pair
jumped right throughout, led, headed narrowly after 3 out, lost place next, weakened before last, tailed off
tracked front pair, driven after 3 out, went 2nd before next, led between last 2, ridden out flat, kept on
tracked leader, led narrowly after 3 out, not fluent next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace
held up in 4th, lost place and behind after 6th, outpaced 3 out, beaten when blundered next, went poor 4th after last
Hier Encore won last year’s inaugural running but has mostly struggled since. Flagrant Delitiep failed to land a gamble when finding one too good at Exeter last time and will be looking for compensation while Man Of Plenty finished closer at Kelso when looking to exploit a slide down the weights and is preferred to Twenty Twenty. But THE RAVEN’S RETURN ran well for second over these obstacles last month when finishing in front of Chloe’s Court, who runs earlier on the card, and a good effort from the latter would further boost confidence in the chances of Seamus Mullins’ charge.
The Knot Is Tied (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased leader to 6th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Man Of Plenty 7-2cfav (11-5) In rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd last, unable to challenge, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Bialco (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
The Raven's Return 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, closer approaching 4 out, good headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out went 2nd and hit last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Ostuni (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Twenty Twenty (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Towards rear, bit closer in mid-division 6th, outpaced before 3 out, no threat after, 8th of 17, 11 3/4l behind Downtown Getaway (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Flagrant Delitiep (FR) 7-2fav (11-6) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 9 1/2l behind Endless Flight (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hier Encore (FR) 11-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, steadied off heels before 6th, headway when flattened 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened soon after, 6th of 10, 24l behind Fu Fu (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
