held up in rear, effort 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, went 2nd after 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway 3rd, weakened 2 out
raced wide, held up in touch, dropped rear after 3rd, stayed on approaching 2 out, challenged last, kept on to lead near finish
held up, headway 5th, one pace when mistake 2 out, stayed on one pace flat
chased leader until after 5th, weakened after 3 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and no extra near finish
in touch, mistake 5th, soon weakened
always behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Nonrunner
The handicapper did not miss De Blanc's win last time but we think he can defy an 18lb rise to score here, with Emanic, Spring Pursuit and Nathos to fight out the minors. The selection comes from the in-form yard of Venetia Williams, who has sent him out to win at Ludlow and Exeter on his last two starts. He has to give weight away all around here, but he won impressively last time out, looks progressive and has handles cut in the past, so we take him to complete the hat-trick. Spring Pursuit was not disgraced in defeat by Over The Creek at Aintree last time and has ability. However the drop back in trip here will not be in his favour and he is passed over. Emanic put in a decent effort to be runner-up to Made In France over fences last time and reverts to hurdles here, where he has shown good form on soft in the past. He can go well but needs to improve to score, while Nathos would have a chance on the form of his Plumpton win in March. He likes cut, but has a bit to prove on recent evidence, and we are happy to side with De Blanc this time.
