soon behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
raced keenly, tracked leader on inside, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden out flat
held up, driven to chase leaders 7th, ridden and no impression from 3 out
mid-division on outside, lost place when not fluent 7th, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced by first 2 approaching 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd last
chased leaders, reminders 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 3rd last, no chance with leading pair
raced keenly, led after 1st, headed when hit 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind
led to after 1st, chased leaders until lost place 5th, behind when pulled up before 7th
First Cry is the pick over City Music, Fifth Column and Tell Henry. First Cry lines up on a retrieval mission, after an unfortunate mishap here 18 days ago. He was four lengths clear when landing over the last flight, but stumbled and came down with the race at his mercy. Provided he is none the worse for the spill, he and Tony Dobbin will hopefully make amends in what is not exactly a stronger contest. City Music probably has more potential than most, but races over timber for the first time, while Fifth Column, who finished third here last time, has it to do with the selection on the bare form. Tell Henry showed a bit of spark in Irish bumpers, but was well down the field on his British bow at Newbury in December, and will surely need the outing anyway. All in all, this appears to be a gilt-edged opportunity for First Cry to come good.
City Music (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased clear leader 7f, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace, no danger to front 2, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Shiwawa (11-1) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd.
Fifth Column (USA) 28-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, lost place when hampered 2 out, soon ridden, no impression, left 3rd last, 3rd of 11, well behind Wrenlane (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
First Cry (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led, ridden approaching last, 4 lengths clear and in command when stumbled and unseated rider at the last in race won by Wrenlane (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf, 11 ran.
Harloes Coffee (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 4th, ridden next, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 13l behind The Bonus King (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Hestherelad (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Led, hit and headed 2 out, weakening when hit last, 5th of 6, 9l behind Wages (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs.
Ley Preacher (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 22l behind Top Brass (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Noriot (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Led, headed over 6f out, 3rd and ridden entering straight, soon no extra, 6th of 13, 12l behind Win Jack (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f nhf gf.
Tell Henry (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Keen hold and always behind, 18th of 25, well behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Whispering Holly 10-1 (10-5) Tracked winner until ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace after, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Salinas (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept '04.
Wiljen (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Balmoral Queen (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf.
Shulmin 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division, lost place 4th, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 11, well behind Wrenlane (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
