chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened approaching next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
headway 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace
hung right after 3 out, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on well flat, not trouble winner
tracked leaders, ridden to lead and blundered 2 out, soon headed and weakened
towards rear, headway 4th, mistake next, ridden and every chance approaching next, weakened flat
ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led and jumped big, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up and always behind
ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind
held up in rear, steady headway 5th, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on well flat
With the Martin Pipe stable having done so well at Cheltenham's Open meeting over the last three days, the yard's Neutron is bound to be popular in the day's showcase race. The son of Nucleon overcame a lengthy absence to win at Wincanton last month and, provided he does not suffer from the "bounce" factor, a repeat success is very much on the cards - even off a 7lb higher mark. Topweight Rock'n Cold, a winner of a weak maiden hurdle at Market Rasen in March, looks harshly treated on his handicap debut. Wuxi Venture and Jolly Side have both been off the course for more than a year and may be entitled to need the run. A close inspection of this duo in the paddock beforehand may prove to be informative. Ifrane Balima has more to do here than when successful at Uttoxeter last time, especially off a 10lb higher mark and while Ipledgeallegiance is well treated on his best, he has not shown that for some time. The TEAMtalk selection then is Robin Dickin's Jacdor. A one-and-a-half length win over Tamango at Cheltenham last month reads well in the context of this race and, off just a 6lb higher mark, the eight-year-old still looks well handicapped.
