tracked leader, led approaching 2out, edged left and ridden out
held up in touch, headway halfway, hit 5th, went second approaching 2out, switched right and effort after 2out, driven and 1l down when blundered last, kept on
led, headed approaching 2out, no extra
prominent to halfway, soon behind
behind, lost touch halfway and pulled up
held up towards rear, fell 4th
held up towards rear, headway and 4th 4out, outpaced form next
Sempre Medici will have to jump a little better than he did when landing a Cork maiden hurdle last month if he's to make a splash in this better grade. But he undoubtedly has an engine and is lightly-raced. JOLLYALLAN could have his measure here, however, as he looked a nice prospect when beating a couple of decent novices at Exeter last month and enhanced that impression when following up on the bridle at Newbury. Arzal made all here on his second start over timber and should ensure a good gallop but Plumpton scorer Dusky Lark will need more. Bringithomeminty won a bumper at the track in February but Barry Geraghty prefers John Ferguson's ex-pointer Zip Top today.
Jollyallan 1-8fav (11-8) Made all and set steady pace, hit 4th, 3 out, in command when 2 out, soon clear, heavily eased flat, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Lanceur (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sempre Medici (FR) 1-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes early, soon raced in 3rd, closed up 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, challenged 3 out and not fluent, led next and not fluent, soon clear, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating Walk To Freedom (11-7) by 8l, 12 ran.
Arzal (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Led and soon clear until before 2 out, soon pressed, kept on strongly from last, won at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov beating West Wizard (10-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Dusky Lark 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead last, hung right and bumped rival, kept on well, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Lord Navits (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Abuelo (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Shantou Bob (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Bringithomeminty 9-2fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 13th of 19, 14l behind Ballybolley (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f G2 NH flat (1) gs in Apr.
Zip Top (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) last of 13, 14l behind Songcraft (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb (flat).
