tracked leaders on inside, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd next, closer 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead narrowly run-in, edged left and stayed on strongly to assert inside final 150 yards
held up in 5th, bad mistake and unseated rider 4th
off the pace in last pair, never a factor, tailed off
raced keenly tracked leader until lost 2nd and hit 3 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, hung left after and no chance with leading duo
raced keenly, raced in 3rd until after 4 out, pushed along and outpaced home turn, soon weakened
off the pace in last pair, hampered by unseated horse at 4th, headway into moderate 4th when hit 2 out
led, strongly pressed at the last, headed and driven run-in, stayed on until no extra and held inside final 150 yards
NonRunner
First Street had strong form in handicaps last season but looks a bit exposed and has to concede weight all round. Yorksea has only run three times over hurdles and the form of his victory at Fontwell on Boxing Day has worked out well but he’s not raced since and Pikar has also been lightly raced and highly tried so should have more to offer. Teddy Blue and Parisencore arrive off the back of recent victories but the former was beaten by Boombawn at Kempton two runs ago and is fractionally worse off at the weights. Harry Cobden is reunited with GRIVETANA for the first time since the French import won at Chepstow last season. She will have improved for her second here at the start of the month and may be more effective over 2m than the returning Theatre Glory.
First Street 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 5th or 6th, soon pushed along, slightly hampered 3 out, hanging left from next, pressing for modest 4th last, no impression, 5th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Jonbon (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Theatre Glory (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Chased leader, switched left just after final bend, led, hanging left and quickened before last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr beating Lady Rita (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Boombawn (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led soon after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next when jumped left, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Impulsive One (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Teddy Blue (GER) 4-11fav (11-4) Took keen hold, made virtually all, going easily before 2 out, drew clear before last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Alexandra Romanov (10-11) by 20l, 9 ran.
Parisencore (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Chased leader, led before 2nd, made rest, strongly pressed and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Albert's Back (12-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Yorksea (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Made all, increased temp home turn, clear 2 out, kept on well from last, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Cornicello (10-12) by 21l, 6 ran.
Grivetana (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden and lost 2nd, plugged on run-in, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Herbiers (12-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Pikar (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd between last two, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Hullnback (11-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
