behind, shaken up after 4th, soon struggling, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader to 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, lost touch after next
took keen hold in rear, hit 4th, mistake 6th, lost touch after next, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, ridden to chase winner 3 out until weakened flat
in touch, not fluent 5th, slightly outpaced after 7th, stayed on approaching 2 out, weakened after last
in touch, led after 7th, clear 3 out, driven out
always prominent, ridden after 7th, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
led, ridden and headed after 7th, weakened after 3 out
Barranco was all out to land a seller at Taunton last time and this looks tougher off his new mark and stepped up in trip so preference is for Seraph, who gets the vote ahead of Deo Gratias. The selection has looked as though this trip would suit him ideally and, off what seems a fair mark, he looks worth a chance in a weak race. Desertmore Chief was pulled up on admittedly testing ground at Chepstow last time and may now be best watched, while Financial Future is difficult to weight up on his debut in a handicap having been well held in four starts in novice hurdles. Elle Roseador is hard to recommend on recent evidence, while Phar The Best has given little cause for optimism and of more interest may be Deo Gratias. Mark Pitman's gelding is less exposed than most of these and may be open to improvement but he needs to if he is to get the better of Seraph who looks to have been found a decent opportunity.
Desertmore Chief (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Prominent, jumped left and bumped 6th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mayoun (9-8) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Financial Future 20-1 (11-3) In touch, weakened 3 out, behind when fell 4 out in race won by Geeveem (11-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Deo Gratias (POL) 7-1 (11-8) Led to approaching 1st, chased leaders, ridden 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Golden Feather (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Phar The Best (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, weakened 6th, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Oulton Broad (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Seraph 25-1 (10-11) Chased leading pair, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Toparudi (11-2) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd.
Elle Roseador 100-1 (11-1) Made most until headed after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 5th of 15, 12l behind Treaty Flyer (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Carnt Spell 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Colophony (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Barranco (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Led until after 2nd, chased leader, led after 5th, under pressure from 2 out, all out, won at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs beating Shalati Princess (10-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
