chased leader, almost upsides 5th, lost ground quickly and pushed along after 6th, ridden in rear 7th, well beaten before 2 out
prominent, close up after 6th, upsides when hit 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly before 2 out, wandered and joined last, headed flat, weakened quickly close home
held up towards rear, steady headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on flat but no chance with winner
midfield, ridden after 7th, some headway under pressure 2 out, one pace from before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, ridden before 3 out, soon well beaten, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 4th, joined when hit 3 out, headed narrowly before 2 out, ridden and upsides last, stayed on strongly under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway into midfield 7th, travelled strongly to press leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, well adrift before 2 out, plugged on but never a factor
Hier Encore is a regular here and his last victory came in this race two years ago. He’s a pound lower today so is worth a market check, despite indifferent recent form. Lisheen Castle was returning from a long absence and having a first run for new connections when tailed off at Ludlow and is capable of better. Westbrook Bertie has had a wind op since his third at Plumpton and Potters Venture would have claims on last season’s form. But it’s difficult to look beyond LILY THE PINK, who is the form pick, ahead of Carlisle fourth Mustang Alpha, despite a further 4lb rise for finishing second at Exeter.
Pinson Du Rheu (FR) 125-1 (10-1) Off the pace in 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Lily The Pink 6-4fav (11-3) Raced on inside, pressed leader, led after 3rd, joined 2 out, mistake and narrowly headed last, rallied gamely run-in, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Valse Au Taillons (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Potters Venture (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) Prominent, jumped slow 6th, shaken up after 2 out, lost position on home turn and weakened before last, 5th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Torn And Frayed (12-1) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Mustang Alpha (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Chased leader, challenged 5th, not fluent 4 out, led before 2 out, 4th and no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 4l behind Apple Rock (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Lisheen Castle (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, closed 2nd, losing place when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Eddiemaurice (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Coal Stock (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Made all, dived at 3 out, 3 lengths clear next, idled run-in, always doing enough, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f (5) gs in Mar beating Deebaj (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Westbrook Bertie 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on to go third flat, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Thibault (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Hier Encore (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Hit 6th, always behind, tailed off, pulled up before last, at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
