held up towards rear on inside, hit 5th, headway on inside before 2 out, where not fluent, went 3rd and kept on run-in, took 2nd inside final 100 yards, no chance with winner
off the pace towards rear, reminder after 6th, never on terms, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway out wide before 2 out, plugged on run-in
off the pace in last pair, tailed off when hampered by faller 2 out, never involved
held up off the pace towards rear, moderate late headway, never involved
raced wide chasing leaders, weakened before 3 out
mid-division before 3rd, headway chasing leaders next, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, weakened next
raced wide chasing leaders, pushed along before 3 out where went left, soon lost place and behind, tailed off
off the pace in last pair, tailed off when unseated rider at the last
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and weakened after 4 out, towards rear and struggling when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 6th, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, plugged on run-in
headway chasing leaders 3rd, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, lost modest 2nd inside final 100 yards
raced keenly with head bowed, made all, came clear from 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd next, weakened into 4th run-in
NonRunner
There are question marks hanging over many of these including Ballybegg, who has far more bad days than good. Certainly Red has been in great form over fences and has won twice over hurdles but he’s not run over the smaller obstacles since Boxing Day 2021. Fifty Ball hasn’t fired this term but won over track and trip just over a year ago off a 4lb higher mark so is worth a market check. TOP OF THE BILL wasn’t disgraced at Chepstow after winning at Exeter so gets a tentative vote with Rocky Man pulled up last time at Ffos Las and Ivaldi continually flattering to deceive.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 11-1 (12-0) In touch in mid-division on outside, not fluent 4th, pushed along when big and slow jump 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Walking On Air (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
J'Ai Froid (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, jumped right 5th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching next, no extra before 2 out, 8th of 21, 36l behind Party Business (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Ballybegg (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed next, led 5th until 6th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Jerrash 11-2 (11-7) Off the pace in last pair, not fluent 2nd, outpaced and struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Gentleman At Arms (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Led 2nd, headed before 4th, lost place before 9th, soon well beaten, 9th of 13, dist behind Trelawne (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Certainly Red 11-4fav (12-0) Jumped left, midfield, headway to chase leaders 15th, close up 17th, led before 3 out when blundered and headed, soon pushed along to challenge, edged right and led approaching last, ridden flat, stayed on, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Golden Sovereign (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sir Psycho (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 12, 20 3/4l behind West To The Bridge (11-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Shantou Express (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division out wide, pushed along and lost place going out on last circuit, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Top Of The Bill (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In rear, hanging left 5th, headway before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Thanksforthehelp (10-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Clay Rogers (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hampered by faller 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, tailed off approaching last, 6th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Santos Blue (10-11) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Fifty Ball (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Chasing leaders on inside when bad mistake 2nd, lost place and in mid-division, never on terms after, 12th of 21, 26 1/2l behind Iroko (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Rocky Man (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened rapidly approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ivaldi (FR) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up well off the pace in rear, gained a place after 3 out, no great headway when went left 2 out and the last, plugged on, 5th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Mark Of Gold (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Hasty Parisian (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Sweet Will (11-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Lord Accord (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, mistake 4th, mistake and last 9th, pulled up before 11th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
