chased leaders, not fluent 6th, hit 9th, not fluent 11th, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place after next, blundered 3rd, closed 5th, mistake 8th, pecked 13th, no impression from 2 out
towards rear of mid-division on outside, edged left before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, closed after 2nd, lost place after 6th, effort from 10th, no extra 2 out, mistake last
tracked leader, led 2 out, in tight last, stayed on well
jumped well, led until 2 out, lost 2nd flat, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, blundered 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, held flat
towards rear, struggling from 14th
held up in rear, headway but plenty do to when carried left before 3 out, went 2nd flat, not reach winner
Acey Milan has been a bit disappointing since making a winning debut over fences at Aintree in the autumn. Young Wolf also has a bit to prove at present but Shanty Alley is progressing and the course and distance winner found only one too good when on a hat-trick last time at Wincanton. Flegmatik will have stamina to prove but Eclair Surf stayed on strongly to score over 3m at Sandown and something was clearly amiss with Ask Me Early at the same track last month. ST BARTS is still learning but looked a useful stayer in the making at Newbury in December and still has time on his side.
Eclair Surf (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Led until 6th, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching last, led again run-in, driven out, won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Eclair De Guye (11-3) by 3l, 10 ran.
St Barts (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Made all, hit 9th, mostly clear from 3 out, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Versatility (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Acey Milan (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) In rear, ridden when fell 5 out, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Young Wolf (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Towards rear, tailed off when blundered 13th, pulled up after 4 out, at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Ask Me Early (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Chased winner until 5th, chased leaders, lost place 9th, towards rear when mistake 12th, pulled up before 16th (water), at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Shanty Alley 8-1 (11-2) Led 1st, headed 2nd, led 6th, headed before 4 out, led again approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, held by winner flat, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Time To Get Up (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Flegmatik (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th and next, weakened before 4 out, driven before next, plugged on, 4th of 7, 28 1/2l behind Belargus (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Seemorelights (IRE) 16-5fav (11-1) Midfield, awkward 2nd, headway to press leaders 3rd, close up 4th, upsides 8th, led narrowly 9th, hit 11th, joined 12th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, 17 1/4l behind Fortified Bay (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Brianstorm (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Led, looked reluctant and pushed along going out on last circuit, headed before 6th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, mistake and weakened 10th with rider looking down, eased and pulled up before 4 out, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
