tracked leader until pushed along before 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
led, hit 2nd and 2 out, headed and weakened quickly between last 2
disputing 4th until lost place approaching 4 out, rallied on inside 3 out, modest one paced 3rd before the last, plugged on towards finish
raced keenly in 5th, closer at 3rd, travelling well in 3rd 3 out, 2nd next, quickened readily clear to lead between last 2, very easily
held up in last pair, headway on outside 3 out, kept on into one paced 4th before the last, plugged on towards finish
tracked leading pair, 2nd going well before 3 out until next, went 2nd again before the last, ridden and no chance with winner run-in
always behind, went poor 5th close home, never a factor, tailed off
Dino Velvet hasn’t won for a long time but is well treated as a result. Chti Balko won here in December but hasn’t reproduced that form in three runs since while Nordic Combined has so far failed to take advantage of a tumbling mark. VISION DU PUY (NAP) has had a light campaign but won at Stratford last month. Given the form of his yard, it would be no surprise if he defied a 5lb rise as Shantou Express has gone up 6lb since just touched off by the useful Pay The Piper at Wetherby, though is unexposed in handicap company. Xcitations has won at Huntingdon and Fakenham this season but seems best on sharp tracks when his turn of foot is an asset.
Shantou Express (IRE) 85-40 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Pay The Piper (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Chti Balko (FR) 14-1 (12-1) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Pay The Piper (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Xcitations 10-3 (11-8) Midfield, tracked leaders 3rd, headway and disputed lead after 3 out, soon led and went clear, readily, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Sarasota Star (11-5) by 7l, 11 ran.
Vision Du Puy (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in midfield, headway approaching 3 out, niggled along and outpaced briefly after 2 out, ridden before last, ran on well to lead final 50yds, won at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Glory And Fortune (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Dino Velvet (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, kept on from 2 out, ridden between last 2, went 4th soon after, closed on 3rd but no chance with winner, 4th of 10, 13l behind Millers Bank (11-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, rallied when hampered 3 out, no impression final bend, well beaten 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Mount Windsor (12-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Da Vinci Hand (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Pay The Piper (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
