led, jumped slowly 2nd, headed before next, soon given reminders and last, lost touch approaching 5th, tailed off when mistake 7th, pulled up before 3 out
went prominent 2nd, pushed along 6th, outpaced after next, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, headway 3rd, pushed along briefly 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
prominent, reminders after 4th, led next until 7th, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, soon ridden, no impression final 100 yards
held up on outside, headway from 5th, challenged approaching 3 out until edged left after 2 out, beaten before last
always prominent, led approaching 3rd until 5th, led 7th until 3 out, remained challenging, led last, driven out
In the hope that Alfie Spinner has gone some way to enhancing the form of the contest DIAMOND BROOK ran in last time, his stablemate is selected ahead of likely favourite Federstar. Our selection gained due reward for a string of fine efforts when landing a novice hurdle at Exeter two starts back. Conditions that day were similar to those likely here and he didn't run at all badly when midfield in a better race last time, so in the hope Alfie Spinner has boosted the race and yard form he's given a narrow vote in another tricky race. Federstar is likely to start favourite having won in facile fashion last time, but Milton Harris' charge carries a penalty in this stronger race and is taken on with that in mind. There's no denying he's got form on the ground and the trip will be fine but that was the horse's first win for some time and it remains to be seen whether he can follow up. Sonny Mullen should relish conditions but is tricky to assess overall, having been well held since taking to handicap ranks. This is probably easier and he's been dropped a couple of pounds, but his overall profile isn't a convincing one and he can be taken on along with Peters Star who will need more than the 1lb drop he's received judging by his disappointment last time. Warne's Way is versatile but tends to bring his best to big field races with a decent clip and he ran poorly on the flat last weekend, so those looking for value could do worse than turn to Double Dash who does have to leave a poor run behind him but had previously looked progressive. Just six runners but this is far from the easiest contest to solve; we'll just side with Diamond Brook.
Peters Star (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Led on outer, headed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened from next, 8th of 12, 27l behind Fredo (10-11) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Warne's Way (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied 2out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Double Dash 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, hit 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 35l behind Maraafeq (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Mid-division on inside, lost place after 4th, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 16l behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Sonny Mullen (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up, in rear, steady headway approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out (placed 4th), 4th of 11, 7l behind Winterwood (11-8) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Federstar (GER) 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders from 5th, left 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Teenage Idol (11-11) by 20l, 11 ran.
