not fluent, chased leaders to 7th, under pressure 9th, weakened before next
rear, pushed along 5th, some headway after 9th, weakened before next
in touch, lost place 6th, well behind 9th, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and struggling after 8th
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, lost 2nd flat
in touch, ridden 6th, lost place next, tailed off 9th
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, hard ridden 3 out, stayed on after next, went 2nd flat and closing on winner near finish
held up, mistake 8th, headway next, chasing leaders when slightly hampered on bend after 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat
led, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly
Estate and Balakar could go close but BACK IS BACK may be able to provide Nick Mitchell with a welcome winner. His rookie season has yielded just the one winner to date but this gelding may be able to double his tally having been found a suitable contest in which to make his handicap bow. He faced an unrealistic task on his second start but showed a glimmer of promise on the other two and is bred to relish this longer trip. Estate rates a solid option in this company with conditions to suit and he's certainly competitive from his current mark whilst Balakar has been a remarkably consistent performer and could grab a share of the money. Aristoxene is thrown in on his old form and would be of keen interest if positive vibes emanated from his shrewd yard whilst the maiden Petito has run a number of decent races in defeat. Wondersobright runs this track well, Digger Gets Lucky, Shield Of Zeus and Senor Shane are all fairly unexposed and worth a second look but we'll opt for Back Is Back.
Estate 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Long Hop (11-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Petito (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when hit last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Blazing Desert (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Aristoxene (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 11th, weakened 13th, well beaten when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last, in a race won by Officier De Reserve (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec '07, 9 ran.
Balakar (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on, never on terms, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Heir To Be (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, weakened next, hit last, 5th of 10, 16l behind Swainson (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Back Is Back (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on again, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Proper (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Shield of Zeus (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up, towards rear, weakened from 5 out, 7th of 14, well behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Royal Kicks (FR) 18-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 14, 29l behind Wise Men Say (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Senor Shane (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Some late progress, mainly in rear, 7th of 13, 23l behind Nearby (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Wondersobright (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Made all, pushed along throughout, clear after 5th, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar beating Cross Kennon (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
