held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and ran on to lead closing stages
held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased leader after 3 out, led after last, headed and no extra close home
led until 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, effort 7th, lost place 3 out
tracked leaders, joined leader before 6th, not fluent 7th, led 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace
behind, headway 6th, pushed along after next, weakened when hit 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed and not fluent last, kept on same pace
pulled hard, held up mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway before 2 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened last
Herald Angel gets the confident vote in the opener with Lad Pilot and Tarkesar rating the main dangers. The selection won in facile fashion last time out when beating Just Paddy with plenty in hand granted this looks tougher but he looks progressive and with conditions again in his favour he will be hard to beat. Lady Pilot rates the main danger on her latest third behind Virtue she was doing all her best work at the finish on that occasion so the step up in trip should suit and she should be closely monitored in the market. Tarkesar is another that could go well as he is well weighted on his best form and looks sure to improve now he returns to this faster surface so he could go well at a price. Mondial Jack won well last time out when beating Tosdula in a chase but he again looks vulnerable on his return to hurdles. Of the others Agua Pura hails from a yard that like a tilt at the ring and is another to note in the market but for the winner we are happy to return to Herald Angel who again has plenty going for him.
Lady Pilot 3-1fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Virtue (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Tarkesar (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 7th of 17, 12l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Mondial Jack (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, led 7th, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb beating Tosula (11-1) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Sunbolt (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) With leaders, led 2nd to 4th, weakened 3 out, 14th of 16, 41l behind Bonnie Rock (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Aqua Pura (GER) 10-1 (11-12) In touch and keen, mistake 4th, lost place, ridden to chase leaders again after 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 21, 8l behind Fair Dual (10-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl (5) gd.
The Grandchild (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up in main group, behind 4th, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 23l behind Stravara (11-11) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Herald Angel (FR) 13-8fav (10-2) Led after 3 out, drew clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Just Paddy (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Booster Divin (FR) 9-1 (9-11) Always behind, jumped badly right 3rd, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ask The Umpire (10-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Purr 33-1 (9-7) Soon tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Ede's (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5).
