mid-division, pushed along after 2 out, weakened well before last
tracked clear leader, closed up 4th flight, led home turn, ridden run-in, kept on, headed final strides
chased clear leader, not fluent 2 out, pushed along behind leaders home turn, soon weakened quickly and mistake last
towards rear, headway into 3rd home turn, pushed along approaching last, stayed on and pressed leader run-in, led final strides
in rear, lost touch before 2 out, pulled up
led, raced keenly, soon clear, reduced lead 4th, pushed along and headed home turn, weakened before last
Dancila followed up a win at Musselburgh with a second at Taunton but gives the impression he’d enjoy a step up in trip. Samuel Spade ran in the Boodles at Cheltenham but only beat one home, though a return to sharper track should suit. Alien Storm has yet to prove he handles going this soft but conditions won’t be a problem for dual winner Beau Balko, who has had the form of his latest victory at Sandown franked. JUPITER DU GITE is headstrong and boiled over before the start of the Triumph. He was eventually pulled up but this easier course will play to his strengths and his win at Newbury in the autumn couldn’t have worked out much better. Iberico Lord has been highly tried so far so is worth a second look.
Alien Storm (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division 3 out, weakened home turn, 9th of 14, 26 1/4l behind No Ordinary Joe (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Beau Balko (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Raced keenly in 3rd on inside, went 2nd soon after 3rd, led 3 out, 6 lengths ahead when hit 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Mayhem Mya (11-9) by 6l, 11 ran.
Samuel Spade (GER) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leader, made most from before 2nd until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 20th of 21, 36 1/2l behind Jazzy Matty (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Iberico Lord (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, pushed along and one pace in 3rd turning in, no chance with leading duo, weakened and fell last, at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
My Boy Grizzle (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Prominent, chased leader before 4th, driven and lost position before 3 out, tailed off approaching last, 5th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Welsh Charger (11-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Jupiter Du Gite (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Trotted to post, bolted in false start, led and raced keenly, went clear after 2nd, headed after 4 out, weakened rapidly after next, soon behind tailed off and pulled up after 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Dancila (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, every chance out wide 2 out, 3 lengths down at the last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Aurigny Mill (11-5) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Captain Attridge (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led, headed halfway, chased leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, last of 11, 18 1/4l behind English Spirit (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Onnaroll (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Always in rear, detached before 3 out, pulled up, at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Forever A Dove (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Led until over 4f out, weakened from over 2f out, 6th of 8, 29 1/2l behind Favour And Fortune (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) sft in Nov.
