chased leading pair on inside, pushed along before 3 out, outpaced and struggling soon after
led and disputed, led after 3 out, ridden before next, headed and bumped 2 out, chased winner, still every chance last, weakened into 3rd final 100 yards
raced keenly, led and disputed, hit 2nd, headed and weakened quickly after 3 out, mistake last
raced keenly, chased leaders out wide, hit 5th, lost place next, behind and struggling after, mistake 8th, tailed off next
held up off the pace in last pair, went right 3rd, closer at 8th, chased leaders before 3 out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, well held
chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, led went left and bumped 2 out, edged left run-in, driven out
raced keenly in rear, mistake 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
Something was clearly amiss with College Oak at Ascot in December and it would be no surprise to see him go close after a break. Scarpia got off the mark at Fontwell last month and should progress again but AFRICAN DANCE probably sets the standard and Lewis Stones’ claim can help him overcome his penalties.
African Dance (IRE) 1-8fav (11-8) Made all, pushed clear bypassing omitted 2 out, very easily, unchallenged (only 2 hurdles jumped), won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan beating Manhattan Bullet (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 3 ran.
College Oak 11-1 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 12, 36l behind Emir Sacree (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Scarpia (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Jumped slightly right, prominent, led 2nd, headed after next, not fluent 4 out, led after 2 out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Mar beating Sandy Brook (11-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Forgot One (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 4th 1/2way drpd to 6th 6out, cl in 5th but btn aftr 3out, wknd 2out, 7th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Premiumaccess (11-11) at Kinsale 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
No Fixed Charges (IRE) (12-2) Pr, ld 6out, hdd app str, dropped to 4th & no extra from 2out, pu last, at Tinahely 3m hvy in Nov.
One Handsome Dude (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Westtara 250-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led, clear 10f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 18 3/4l behind Hidor De Bersy (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.
