towards rear, headway after 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, 5 lengths clear and in command when fell last
held up last, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leader 6th, ridden in 2nd 3 out, left in front last, hard ridden flat, just held on
prominent, led 3rd to approaching 4th, weakened 6th
in touch, ridden 6th, stayed on one pace from 3 out, left 3rd last, kept on
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
chased leader, led approaching 4th, soon clear, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, stayed on when left 2nd last, ran on flat, just failed
towards rear, ridden approaching 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led to 3rd, chased leader, lost place 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
Jigsaw Dancer is in such good form at present that he could hold the answer to this puzzle but we think that Or Bleu can get the better of him. Krackatara landed a touch in good style at Chepstow last time and may not be too badly treated whilst Rood Report showed progressive form before Christmas. He beat Pigeon Island back in August, finished second to Kia Kaha and then went one better at Uttoxeter. That form was all on fast surfaces and he may not appreciate too much cut. The selection was around 10 lengths behind Rood Report at Uttoxeter but that was his hurdling debut and he has shown improved form since. He's been running well at around the minimum but appeals as the sort to improve for this longer trip. Jigsaw Dancer has won his last two with his head in his chest and clearly has a leading chance but this company looks stronger. Top Ram was a shade disappointing last time but has claims on the form of his penultimate start. In a really competitive race we'll side with Or Bleu.
Krackatara 3-1 (11-3) Held up, headway on inside after 4th, led 4 out, clear and in command last, pushed out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Tank Top (10-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Rood Report 3-1fav (11-5) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent 8th, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Joyryder (10-12) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Or Bleu (FR) 2-1fav (10-5) Led, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Trouble At Bay (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
The Bandit (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Champagne Harry (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Jigsaw Dancer (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Prominent, headway to lead bend after 3 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Celtic Spirit (11-7) by 7l, 8 ran.
Alternator (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd.
Purple Patch 7-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 3rd and outpaced, rallied 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Chance du Roy (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Top Ram (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Keen, ridden 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 14, 10l behind Majaales (11-8) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led to 2nd, ridden 7th, led 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Nick's Choice (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Feb.
