in rear, headway to go 2nd approaching 4 out, took it up travelling well home turn, clear last, easily
chased leaders, dropper to rear and struggling after 7th, plugged on from 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along and struggling from 8th, tailed off
prominent, pushed along and weakened 3 out
led, ridden and headed home turn, plugged on in distant 2nd
Jan Maat has struggled a little since arriving from Ireland and The Flying Sofa hasn’t been quite at his best this season. He was beaten 11 lengths by FAIRWAY FREDDY here last month and Nick Gifford’s charge can record back-to-back victories in this running off a pound lower mark than 12 months ago. After two wins over course and distance, Minella Hub couldn’t cope with a 10lb rise at Southwell with Light N Strike also high enough in the weights at present.
Light N Strike (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracking leaders when awkward and lost place 1st, behind, headway disputing 3rd at 9th, left outright 3rd and hampered 2 out, kept on run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Goa Lil (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Minella Hub (IRE) 5-4fav (12-3) Disputed lead, headed 6th, ridden 4 out, minor headway 3 out, no extra soon after, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Clear The Runway (11-6) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Fairway Freddy (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, pressed leader 9th, led next, ridden clear approaching last, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Chef D'Equipe (11-4) by 4 3/4l, 3 ran.
Jan Maat (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along and headed 5 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 23 3/4l behind Antunes (11-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Flying Sofa (FR) 4-9fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression, last of 3, 10 3/4l behind Fairway Freddy (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
