chased leaders, challenged after 3 out (usual 4 out), led next, jumped slightly right last, driven and headed flat, held when lost 2nd near finish
chased leaders until bad mistake 2nd (landed on top of fence and demolished it), last 5th, not fluent 8th, well behind from next
held up, raced keenly, closed 2nd, went 2nd 8th, every chance when blundered badly 3 out (usual 4 out), not recover and well held after
refused to race
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out (usual 4 out), close 3rd 2 out, ran on flat, went 2nd near finish
led, clear until 6th, ridden and joined 3 out (usual 4 out), soon headed, no extra from 2 out
chased clear leader, closed 6th, lost 2nd 8th, stayed close up, pushed along after 9th, led after 3 out (usual 4 out), headed 2 out, responded to strong pressure to lead again flat, stayed on
withdrawn
NonRunner
Most of these would have some sort of chance on their best form, though Fayette County still isn't firing and Arkaim also appears out of sorts. Useful hurdler Presenting Arms is jumping fences late in life but made a winning start at Doncaster. Cloonacool won over course and distance in January before failing to stay 2m4f at Kempton. Artifice Sivola is probably a shade high in the weights now but has place claims and holds Noche De Reyes on the form book. Parsnip Pete has dropped to a very fair mark but it's 18 months since he showed any worthwhile form and more interesting is Keel Haul with the possibility that headgear will spark a revival. ZARZAL has won three times around here and briefly threatened at Chepstow 12 days ago when held up well off the pace - he could pounce late to land this.
Cloonacool (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in rear but in touch, mistake 9th, left in 4th at 4 out, left in 3rd next, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 24 1/4l behind Killala Quay (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gs in Feb.
Zarzal (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Behind, headway from 4 out, went 4th 3 out, 3rd last, never on terms to challenge, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Sandy Beach (10-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) With leader and keen, ridden before and led last, edged left run-in, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar beating Coologue (11-6) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Arkaim 10-1 (11-9) Prominent in chasing group, 2nd and closed before 3rd, 3rd and struggling before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Fayette County (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some slow jumps, struggling 6th, pulled up after, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Artifice Sivola (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led to 5th, with leader, led again 7th, not fluent 4 out, headed before next, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, one pace before 2 out, no impression before last, 6th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Keel Haul (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden before 5th, weakened after 7th, 4th of 5, dist behind Ultragold (10-3) at Wincanton 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Parsnip Pete 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division on outside, headway before 5th, challenged 10th, ridden and lost place before 2 out, weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Pearls Legend (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
