led, clear 2nd, ridden and pressed approaching last, headed and no extra flat
close up in 4th, headway to track leader 3 out, challenged approaching last, led flat, ran on
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden 3 out, struggling from next, plugged on
tracked clear leader until ridden 3 out, struggling from next, plugged on
Corinto opened his account over hurdles with victory in a lower grade at Market Rasen but has an 1llb hike in the weights to contend with. By contrast, VIVE LE ROI (NAP) drops in class after running well for a long way up against much higher-rated opposition in Grade 2 company here last time and Tony Carroll’s charge gets another chance on his earlier success at Newbury. Flashjack has failed to build on November’s short-head defeat at Ffos Las though is still preferred to Kayf Moss, who won at Uttoxeter nearly a year ago but reverted to his more usual poor form on his reappearance.
Vive Le Roi (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led, pushed along and headed on long run before 2 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 24 3/4l behind Vision Des Flos (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Flashjack (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden after last, no impression, 5th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Closing Ceremony (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Corinto (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, led last, kept on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Very Extravagant (10-13) by 7l, 11 ran.
Kayf Moss 66-1 (11-9) Led until headed and weakened rapidly before 3 out, tailed off and eased, last of 16, dist behind Jabulani (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
