held up in touch, ridden and lost place after 4th, pulled up before 5th, broke blood vessel
inclined to jump slightly right, made all, shaken up and went clear flat, easily
held up, not fluent 1st, steady progress and went 3rd approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, pushed along 5th, ridden and struggling after 6th
always in rear, lost touch from 3rd, tailed off
always behind, pushed along and struggling after 5th
prominent, lost place after 3rd, behind from 4th
always chasing winner, not fluent 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, no impression when not fluent last
Aintree novices winner West To The Bridge has already failed when penalised and was beaten in a handicap last time while a double penalty over a longer trip proved too much for SHANTALUZE at Sedgefield on his latest start. But a conditional’s allowance helps on that score today and Donald McCain’s charge gets another chance given both earlier wins came over course and distance. Ashutor was placed on faster going on a couple of occasions before falling at the first at Kempton a week ago and Statuario is another with something to prove on testing ground after placing at Ludlow on her hurdling debut.
Shantaluze (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Arthur Mac (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar.
West To The Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 3 out, weakened after next, went right last, 7th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Dino Velvet (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Ashutor (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, fell 1st, at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Battlebrave (IRE) 150-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 4th, soon behind, 7th of 9, 37 3/4l behind Flash The Steel (11-7) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Jones Well (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 7th, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 29l behind Finawn Bawn (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) gs in Mar.
Nineohtwooneoh (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, dist behind Dickie Diver (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Feb.
Careyanne 66-1 (10-11) Took keen hold in last pair, jumped right 2nd, plugging on but no impression when mistakes 2 out and last, 5th of 10, 21 3/4l behind Kingofthecotswolds (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Statuario 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, close up on outside 3 out, one pace when switched inside between last 2, ridden and stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 14, 10 1/4l behind Snapdragon Fire (12-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Feb.
