mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
in touch, headway to join leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, one pace after next
hit 6th, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, switched left approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, steady progress after 3 out, hard ridden after next, 5th jumping last, stayed on strongly, led near finish
in touch until 7th, soon ridden, behind from 9th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on, nearest finish
took keen hold in rear, headway after 3 out, good run on inside after 2 out, led last, ridden and headed final 150 yards, no extra
led until after 3rd, chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden after 7th, some headway 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders until weakened 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon one pace, hung left flat
always towards rear
led after 3rd, ridden after 2 out, headed last soon hung left, no extra
mid-division, hit 8th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
in touch, took closer order after 3 out, challenged last, led final 150 yards, caught near finish
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
Mealagh Valley gets a tentative vote in a fiercely competitive finale. Scots Dragoon has to be considered as do the likes of Oberon Moon, Commander Vic and Sir Peter. The selection's chances will be boosted by the claim of his talented conditional whilst the step up to three miles looks sure to bring about some improvement. The form of his win at Ludlow hasn't really worked out but he could do no more than score and the form of his other two runs stands up. Scots Dragoon is a progressive handicapper who should still be ahead of the game but this requires another step forwards and comes hard on the heels of his run at Ascot. Oberon Moon finished 6 lengths in front of Commander Vic last time when racing off levels and there may not be a great deal to choose between the pair here whilst Sir Peter has the look of a dour stayer and won well enough last time. They are by no means the only contenders and support for Mealagh Valley can only be tentative.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Prominent, left in lead 8th, ridden clear after 3 out, pushed out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan beating Geography (9-11) by 23l, 12 ran.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Kate's Gift (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Oniphlaure (FR) 15-2 (11-9) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mister Pink (10-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Wheres Johnny 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure to lead close home, all out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Forest Silver (11-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Runthatpastmeagain (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Close up, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and held when not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Honour High (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Or Sing About (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden after 8th, hit 3 out, weakening when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cryptic (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Oberon Moon (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden to dispute 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 10l behind Quickbeam (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Foxspur (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) In touch, hit 4th, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 30l behind Major Malarkey (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
So Now (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 13, 12l behind Mister Pink (10-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Lordsbridge (USA) 3-1fav (10-5) Held up behind, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Rare Gold (11-1) by 8l, 14 ran.
Mister Pink 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed and soon outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, led flat, all out, won at Kempton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Double Shot (11-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
Scots Dragoon 2-1fav (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, closed approaching last, driven ahead towards finish, won at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd beating Migwell (11-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, well behind Blaze Ahead (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Commander Vic (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, 5th and beaten when went left 2 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Quickbeam (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sir Peter (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden approaching 7th, switched left approaching last, hard ridden to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Quattrocento (11-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Killard Point (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Led until fell at the 17th in race won by Fine By Me (10-6) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Mar, 5 ran.
No Greater Love (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, brief effort 14th, soon beaten, 10th of 12, well behind Ashwell (11-7) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Seize 5-2 (10-11) Held up, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Feb beating The Accordion Man (11-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, led after 3 out, edged right and headed after 2 out, beaten when brought down at the last in race won by South Bank (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Galantos (GER) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, steadied into mid-division, effort 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pangbourne (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
