mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, gradually weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders until weakened 6f out, soon beaten
mid-division until weakened from halfway
mid-division, keen early, smooth headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden 3f out to chase winner, no extra final 2f
tracked leaders, weakened from halfway
soon tracked leaders and keen early, weakened halfway
mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A difficult affair to resolve without any market guidance but Gunner Jack, Jean Le Poisson and Kokoschka are likely to figure at the head of the market and we will side with Gunner Jack. Nicky Richards representative carried a good deal of confidence before his debut and while the race was ran at a crawl - there was enough to like about him once the race began in earnest. Jean Le Poisson was sent off a big price on debut at Newbury but could be called the winner from quite some way out. He is in receipt of weight from our selection and Mick Fitzgerald is in the plate. Kokoschka combines the stoutness of Oscar with a distinctly flat-bred dam line. As ever, the booking of Tony McCoy catches the eye. Darazari Bay was sent off as a joint-favourite at Carlisle but could never reach the leaders on heavy ground. Supreme Builder is related to a number of bumper winners and the market should give most clues as to how forward he is this afternoon. Skippers Brig was a relatively cheap purchase for the Ashleybank Investments team and could, on pedigree, need it a little softer than forecast. The market should give the best clues but in the absence of that information, Gunner Jack is offered up as the notional selection.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, steady headway from halfway, went 2nd going well over 3f out, led inside final 3f, came clear inside final 2f, won at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar beating Kimi (11-4) by 5l, 14 ran.
Arctic Ghost 22-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Contendo 66-1 (11-3) In touch until began to struggle from halfway, 7th of 16, 32l behind The Pious Prince (11-3) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Darazari Bay (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Held up, effort over 5f out, no impression from over 3f out, 6th of 10, 20l behind Jack The Blaster (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Inverlochy Lad (IRE) Mister Lord gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Sound Witness.
Palmerston Place (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers in Ireland.
Skippers Brig (IRE) Zaffaran gelding out of Mathewsrose.
Sparky Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4f out, weakened final 3f, 9th of 12, 31l behind Kealshore Lad (10-13) at Wetherby 2m nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Billsgrey (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced 6f out, soon lost place, 11th of 13, 39l behind Alfie Flits (11-3) at Carlisle 1m 6f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Cavers Glen 50-1 (10-0) Raced keen, led, clear until 7f out, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 22l behind Gold Thread (10-9) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Gavz Boy (IRE) Executive Perk gelding out of Waltzins Comma.
Kokoschka (IRE) Oscar gelding, half-brother to the smart King Cobra.
Phardessa Pharly mare out of 1m2f-1m3f winner Mardessa.
Gunner Jack 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar beating Stolen Moments (11-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Royal Miller (IRE) Mister Lord gelding, half-brother to hurdles winner Vicar Street.
Supreme Builder Supreme Leader gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
