chased leaders, jumped right and slow 1st, closed next, pecked 8th, jumped right next, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
prominent, led briefly 5th, pushed along 10th, lost 2nd 11th, soon weakened
held up in rear, hampered 1st, went 3rd after 11th, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
stuck close up inside, made most until before 4 out, no impression on winner 2 out, lost 2nd after last
held up, pushed along 10th, weakened from next
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
The Bay Birch wasn’t winning out of turn in a mares’ handicap here last month and she’ll probably run her race again despite a 7lb rise. Solomon Grey has gone up the same amount since last seen running away with a Class 2 race at Uttoxeter in August but he usually needs a run and might not appreciate testing conditions. Gortroe Joe has won twice over hurdles this season but disappointed last time and is having a first run over fences since the summer of 2019. ESPOIR DE ROMAY came up against Royale Pagaille on his second start over fences in December and was conceding 5lb so the fact that he was only beaten seven lengths suggests he might have too much for these.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 6-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, dropped to 4th after 8th, went 2nd 10th, led briefly 12th, led before 3 out, narrowly headed next, ridden between last 2, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Royale Pagaille (11-0) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) hvy in Dec.
Princeton Royale (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led until approaching 12th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Smarty Wild (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until next, challenged 10th, led 2 out, clear after last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Deja Vue (11-7) by 13l, 4 ran.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led until headed on long run before 2 out, weakened rapidly, 6th of 7, 31 1/2l behind Ajero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Pop Rockstar (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Held up in 7th, pushed along when jumped slowly and dropped to last pair at 7th, never on terms after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Solomon Grey (FR) 15-8fav (10-11) Held up in midfield, smooth headway to chase leaders 5 out, upsides 2 out and quickened clear, stayed on strongly after last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Buster Thomas (10-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Drumlee Sunset (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in 4th, closer approaching 11th, 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, held on gamely, all out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Feb beating Diable De Sivola (10-13) by shd, 8 ran.
Mind's Eye (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost position 4th, dropped to last 5th, pulled up before 12th, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
