raced wide, tracked leaders, led 6th to approaching 3 out, chased winner after, no chance between last 2
raced freely, led and soon clear, jumped left 3rd, headed 6th, chased leader until weakened under pressure approaching 3 out, kept on to take poor 3rd final strides
tracked clear leader, closed approaching 5th, led going well before 3 out, in command between last 2, hit last, pushed out flat
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, left poor 3rd last, lost poor 3rd final strides
in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
The opening event on the card can go to Atlantic City over Miss Academy, Vinmix De Bessy and Verasi. Atlantic City made a winning start to his hurdling career over the course and distance at the end of March, beating a small but useful field convincingly. That came as no surprise to connections, as he had already paid his way on the all-weather and had schooled well over the smaller obstacles. He may well be seen back on the Flat again soon, but as long as the going remains good, he can pay to follow in this sphere. At the likely odds, he makes more appeal than Miss Academy who to be fair has been highly tried since coming over from France. Fourth at the Cheltenham Festival, and also fourth behind Faasel at Aintree, many will see her as the obvious one here, but those races could well have left their mark and she is worth taking on, especially on this faster ground. Vinmix De Bessy created a favourable impression when scoring on the same card as the selection here. He has scope but is not as battle-hardened. Of the rest, Verasi makes each-way appeal, although he has been off since contesting a Grade 1 race at Chepstow in December. He is rated fairly highly by connections, and will be placed to good effect when fitter, but we prefer the claims of Atlantic City.
Verasi 50-1 Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Phar Bleu at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (A) hvy in Dec.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 7-2 Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3 out, led soon after, well in command before last, eased run-in, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar beating Hatteras by 6l, 9 ran.
La Concha (IRE) 16-1 Led to 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 27l behind Senna da Silva at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct.
Miss Academy (FR) 14-1 Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 12, 21l behind Faasel at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs.
Noble Mind 50-1 Mistakes and always behind, 8th of 15, 33l behind It's Blue Chip at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Rhetorical 100-1 Behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Waltzing Beau at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Atlantic City 17-2 Close up, tracked leader after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Mar beating Double Dizzy by 5l, 6 ran.
Stonor Lady (USA) 25-1 Pulled hard, very green, led and soon clear, headed and weakened 4 out, mistake next, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Atlantic City at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
