made all, jumped well, drew clear after 2 out, easily
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, under pressure 2 out, weakened last
in touch, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along 11th, weakened after 3 out
behind, headway after 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well, never a threat
held up in rear, under pressure 10th, weakened 4 out
in touch, mistake and lost place 2nd, beaten 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, slow 3rd and 4th, pushed along 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out
Notonebuttwo is the only course and distance winner in the line-up but it's a very long time since he last won though he's now back on the same mark. Hattons Hill completed a five-timer of handicap victories on the track in the spring of last year, all over 3m, and is likely to find this on the short side. Royal Salute, who won three races in 2016/17, has more letter than numbers in his form figures in his last eight starts but Paddling's only victory came over 2m3f and he's been getting outpaced over the minimum on good ground. SILVERTON will enjoy the conditions having ended the last campaign with a narrow defeat over the track and trip on heavy going and a chance is taken on Lucy Normile's mare making a winning return.
Well Above Par (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, outpaced from 5 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Plus Jamais (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Rossmore's Pride (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, mistakes 1st and 2nd, never a factor, pushed along in rear halfway and detached after 4 out, no extra, last of 8, dist behind Arcenfete (11-12) at Roscommon 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Royal Salute 9-2 (11-0) Mostly 3rd until chased winner after 13th, 5 lengths down when fell 2 out, at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Hattons Hill (IRE) 14-1 (12-2) In touch, headway 14th, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Inchcolm (10-10) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Paddling (FR) 3-1 (11-8) In touch, hit 3rd, pushed along and headway 4 out, ridden next, weakened soon after 2 out, 5th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Thomas Blossom (11-12) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Notonebuttwo (IRE) 2-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, under pressure in rear, halfway, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after next, at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Court Painter (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Thomas Todd (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Silverton 16-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, 2nd before 9th, disputing close 2nd when hampered and carried left last, went outright 2nd final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Mr Witmore (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Knocklayde (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, blundered badly and lost touch 11th, no danger after, 5th of 7, 28 3/4l behind Troubled Soul (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
