held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
always in rear, lost touch 4 out
made all, soon clear, hit last, ran on well
keen, always in rear
tracked winner throughout, mistake 6th, no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, ridden 4 out, pulled up approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, held when pulled up after 2 out, dismounted
held up, headway 4 out, soon ridden to chase leading trio, held when not fluent 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, headway to track leaders 7th, under pressure and weakening when jumped left 2 out and last
tracked leaders, lost place after 7th
ZERO showed progressive form over hurdles two seasons ago, has solid claims off an 8lb higher mark than when successful in comfortable fashion at Ascot in November 2007 when last seen and Emma Lavelle's gelding is taken to make a winning return, with the main dangers rated as Mendo and Templer. The last mentioned is better over fences than over hurdles but was a good winner here over timber last time and the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding has every chance off a 6lb higher mark today. Moonlight Music has run well in his last two starts but may now be a shade high in the weights, a comment that also applies to Alan King's Parlesotho. Indian Pipe Dream may do better back on better ground, while Qulinton needs to improve on recent form in handicaps but David Pipe's gelding has been given a chance by the handicapper. Noel Chance's Mendo ran much better at Kempton last month and he has to be considered along with Celticello, who has been running consistently well for David Evans of late. Zero has every chance though and he is taken to make a winning return.
Mendo 13-2 (11-5) Took keen hold early, held up, headway and went prominent in chasing group 4th, led before 2 out, hung right and headed before last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Earth Dream (9-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 15th of 22, well behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Qulinton (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 31l behind Penn Da Benn (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 20, 22l behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Templer (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Picot de Say (10-11) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
So Now (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hit 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 10, well behind The Very Man (11-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Zero (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, went left and led next, hit last easily, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov '07 beating Esprit de Corps (11-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Parlesotho (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 7th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Dansimar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Celticello (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd on bit after 3 out, challenging when hit 2 out, carried right flat, not run on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Bring It On Home (10-13) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Pseudonym (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, well behind Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Moonlight Music (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Fairyland (11-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Galantos (GER) 7-1 (11-6) In rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 37l behind Royal Kicks (10-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
