made all, increased tempo from 2 out, well clear last, eased down run-in
chased leader, pushed along and struggling from 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leader, ridden and outpaced 2 out, plugged on in distant 2nd
held up, headway approaching 2 out when untidy, soon pushed along and outpaced, weakened last
Elkstone can’t get much lower in the weights and briefly threatened at Huntingdon 10 days ago, though isn’t getting any younger. Rafferty has won twice at a lower level this season but we’ll take the view that something wasn’t quite right with GIVE ME A MOMENT (NAP) at Warwick in January as he’d been very impressive at Catterick the time before. Court Royale was beaten under a length at Hereford last month but is 2lb higher now and not exactly reliable.
Give Me A Moment (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Pressed leader, landed steeply 10th, hit 12th and lost 2nd, beaten from 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 16l behind Fantastic Lady (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Rafferty (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Led, headed 3rd, tracked leader until pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Douglas Talking (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Court Royale (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 10th, not fluent 2 out, soon led but hard pressed, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Yggdrasil (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Elkstone 10-1 (11-5) In rear, not fluent 3 out, headway next, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Anightinlambourn (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
