waited with in 5th on inside, closer in 4th after 3 out, ridden and no impression between last two, hit the last, weakened into 5th run-in
raced wide, led until headed before hit 4 out chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd before the last, went 2nd again final 100 yards, no chance with winner
well in rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders on inside, led on inside at the last, soon clear, stayed on well
off the pace and always in last pair, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leader, hit 2nd, led before 4 out, ridden between last two, headed and hit last, stayed on same pace run-in, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
chased leaders, outpaced and struggling 3 out, no chance after, went remote 4th run-in
AL ZARAQAAN was useful on the Flat but if Nick Scholfield can get him settled early, the six-year-old possesses enough ability in this game to justify the trip up from Lambourn. Matchless won convincingly at Catterick and is deserving of today’s step up in grade while Fruit N Nut has clearly had training troubles though had appeared useful under similar conditions during his time in bumpers. Salsada had an entry at Doncaster on Saturday but would be of interest if lining up in this affair.
Al Zaraqaan 7-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, held up in last, some headway on outer before 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 7th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Nayati (11-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Ashington 18-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and dropped to midfield before 7th, lost touch with leaders before 3 out, stayed on to press for 3rd last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Iroko (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Faron (IRE) 80-1 (12-1) In rear, not fluent 3rd or 5th, behind 7th, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Lock's Corner (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Fruit N Nut (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Led and disputed, mistake 2nd, headed after 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened home turn, 11th of 14, 31 1/4l behind No Ordinary Joe (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 28-1 (12-2) Mid-division, headway out wide tracking leaders before 3rd, towards rear and struggling 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 34l behind Lock's Corner (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Matchless (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Made all, pushed along before 2 out, ran on well, always doing enough, readily, won at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Legendary Day (11-8) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Snookered (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Bit keen, tracked leader, tracked new leader after 4 out, lost 2nd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, 4th of 5, 25 1/4l behind Coolbane Boy (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Salsada (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Dancing Harry (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
