tracked leader to 3rd, tracked leader again 7th, ridden 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, mistake next, one pace
made all, mistake 6th, shaken up approaching 2 out, ran on
mid-division, ridden and weakened when behind and fell 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always in rear
tracked leaders, close up when mistake 8th, chased winner from 2 out, never on terms
keen in rear, hampered 2nd, blundered 7th, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous, hung left
towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, behind from 6th
towards rear and keen, jumped right 2nd, weakened 7th, tailed off next
tracked leaders and keen, tracked leader from 3rd until weakened 7th
A good race in prospect here with several interesting candidates to consider. We'll focus our attention on the three penalised runners - with Quickbeam the pick - but confidence behind the chances of Soixante, Fix The Rib and Paradise Regained to name but three would be worth noting. Mount Oscar has had a mixed season, pulling up twice in the winter months, which tempers confidence but he would be a threat to all on the pick of his form. He recorded an impressive victory over course and distance in November before chasing home Lightning Strike in a Grade 2 at Sandown. Then things went awry but he looked to be on the way back when finishing in midfield in a competitive Ascot handicap won by Backbord and should appreciate the return to novice company. Orphelin Collonges was a fortunate winner at Ludlow but he has shown useful form in three starts since arriving from France and there should be more to come. However, it's hard to get away from Quickbeam as the form of his Exeter second just gets better and better. Beshabar went on to win the EBF Handicap final at Sandown, third placed Connak won by 18 lengths last time, the 11 length fourth Krackatara landed a gamble on his latest start whilst the fifth came within a whisker of beating a springer in the market at Chepstow earlier in the month. The doubt is the trip as this stoutly bred gelding appeared to need every yard of an extended three miles at Taunton but we're going to go out on a limb and take Quickbeam to overcome that concern.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway under pressure before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 18, 25l behind Backbord (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) In touch, tracked leaders 3 out, chased winner 2 out, left in clear lead flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Award Winner (11-4) by 8l, 15 ran.
Quickbeam (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 9th, edged right but drew clear approaching 2 out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating West End Rocker (11-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
Major Upset (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, 22l behind Lupanar (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Paradise Regained (FR) 18-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 36l behind Forest Pennant (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
R'Cam (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up and behind, not fluent 8th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 38l behind Cryptic (11-13) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Soixante (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked winner, mistake 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 19l behind Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
The Good Guy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, headed 6th, weakened quickly, 13th of 16, well behind Cruchain (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, never on terms, 8th of 15, 33l behind Dragon Eye (10-11) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Estrica (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Towards rear and keen, effort over 4f out, soon beaten, 13th of 16, 26l behind Flowing On (10-13) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Flanagans Choice (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 15th of 16, 28l behind Gershwin (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Another Conker 125-1 (10-10) Always in rear and pulled up 4 out in race won by Connak (11-3) at Chepstow 3m nh mdn hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Keen, steady headway approaching 9th, chased winner 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Wheres Johnny (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
