in touch, ridden, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, led over 9f out, headed over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, one pace final 2f
prominent, led over 5f out, ridden, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly
mid-division, ridden, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, led over 3f out, quicken clear final furlong, easily
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway 9f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
keen, in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
led, headed over 9f out, weakened quickly
The market should offer most clues but Roccas Boy, Mumbles Head and Medic look best of those to have raced and Roccas Boy is tentatively recommended. It is always difficult to give away penalties at this level but Michael Wigham's horse is bred with a distinct flat emphasis and there was a lot to like about his victory at Musselburgh once the race began in earnest. Mumbles Head had little chance at Cheltenham but won well on debut and a chasing career is apparently already under consideration. There was plenty of money around for Medic on debut at Southwell so it will be fascinating to see if those faces are back again. Graphex is visored after a poor run at Fontwell. Silver Feather is interestingly bred and is watched at bigger odds. Roccas Boy looks the pick on form and we shall chance him with his penalty.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened over 4f out, 19th of 23, 23l behind Hairy Molly (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Rocca's Boy (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, staying on when hampered and switched right inside last, driven and kept on to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan beating Dundock (10-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Accumulus 14-1 (10-13) Held up rear, steady headway over 5, headway to track leaders ridden 3f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 11l behind Mount Sandel (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gd.
Best Deal 16-1 (10-11) In rear, headway over 4f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 6th of 13, 12l behind Ballykelly (10-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Mar.
Gemini Storm 33-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened over 5f out, 9th of 12, well behind Ovide (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Headley (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Green and unruly to post, ran green and always in rear, 9th of 14, well behind Jean Le Poisson (10-11) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Lord Morley (IRE) Lord Americo gelding, half-brother to hurdle winners The Mickletonian and River Mist.
Medic (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Nightfly (10-11) at Southwell 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Zaffarsson (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, behind final 5f, 9th of 12, 44l behind Joyryder (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Duke of Kentford 8-1 (10-11) Held up, pushed along 6f out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 28l behind Risk Challenge (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Galaxia (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Ponmeoath.
Graphex 6-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Paix Eternelle (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Grecian Groom (IRE) Groom Dancer gelding out of an unraced mare.
Marlion (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hard driven 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 34l behind Jean Le Poisson (10-11) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Red Square Express Kayf Tara gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Delena.
Silver Feather (IRE) Silver Patriarch gelding out of winning hurdler Merilena.
Viper Polar Prince gelding, half-brother to 1m1f and hurdle winner Itcanbedone Again.
Zarbeau 20-1 (10-3) Behind, some headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, well behind Stagecoach Opal (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Bowdlane Barb 80-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 12f out, never a factor, 9th of 13, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Dottie West 66-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, led after 2f until after 4f, weakened 8f out, last of 15, well behind Closed Shop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Mar.
