held up, effort 4 out, chased leading trio 3 out, left 3rd last
held up, headway 5 out, switched right 2 out, every chance last and left 2nd, kept on
led after 2nd and keen, clear 4th, ridden 2 out, narrowly headed when fell last,
led, headed after 2nd, mistake 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up, reminders 7th, lost touch 4 out
tracked leader, driven 4 out, joined leading pair at 3 out, led last, 4 out
Nonrunner
BEARNEEN BOY looks much more competitive off this mark and has the selection ahead of Lord Gunnerslake and Wild Power. The selection finished behind Lord Gunnerslake last time but re-opposes here on much better terms. That defeat also meant the handicapper has given him a much needed reprieve and his mark is now just three pounds higher than his last victory on his penultimate effort. Lord Gunnerslake has his work cut out to reaffirm the form of his beating of the selection last time but should go well off bottom weight and just a pound out of the handicap on a good rating. Wild Power hasn't got his head in front for nearly three years now but as a result is dangerously well handicapped if rediscovering some form while Miller's Monarch makes his handicap and chase debut off a fair looking mark. Not the strongest race of the afternoon but Neil King has his string in good order and we side with his Bearneen Boy.
Miller's Monarch 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to join leaders 6th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Cruise Director (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Wild Power (GER) 100-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 5 out, no impression, last of 7, 39l behind Bob Bob Bobbin (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Feb.
Play Master (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, some progress 6th, held from 4 out, 8th of 14, well behind Conny Nobel (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Irish Stream (USA) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 42l behind Hawksbury Heights (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Sept.
Riccardo (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mistake 1st, last when blundered and fell at the 2nd in race won by Bearneen Boy (10-3) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden, left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd, slightly hampered last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Babe Heffron (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leading pair, chased winner 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Babe Heffron (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
