mid-division, struggling 7th, soon beaten, tailed off
led, headed after 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
held up behind, headway 3 out, challenged last, ridden and hung right flat, held near finish
not fluent in touch, tracked leaders 6th, effort when stumbled 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat
mid-division, headway 6th, effort 2 out, no impression approaching last
chased leaders, lost place halfway, no danger after
held up behind, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden last, held on under pressure flat
tracked leader, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off
Withdrawn
The ground was pretty testing when Keen Warrior won at Uttoxeter last time and while he does handle a faster surface, the gelding may now be a shade high in the weights so preference is for Catchthebug with Turbo looking to be the pick of the rest. The selection may well be one of the lesser lights among Jonjo O'Neill's yard but he remains feasibly well treated and should be suited by the underfoot conditions so gets the vote. Caesar's Palace has shown improved form of late but would probably prefer more testing conditions, while Mr Shambles has seemingly lost his way of late and may now be best watched. Cottam Grange has given little real of sign for encouragement of late and of more interest may be Mick Easterby's Turbo, who is capable but has proven to be hard to win with and may be best watched. Catchthebug has plenty going for him though and he gets the vote.
Catchthebug (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, carried left on bend after 8th, headway next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 15, 18l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Cottam Grange 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, reminders after 4th, weakened from next, 6th of 7, 43l behind Political Pendant (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Turbo (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, in 5th when blundered 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind My Lady Link (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Mr Shambles 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar, 16 ran.
The Hero Sullivan (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) In touch until weakened after 4 out, 6th of 10, 21l behind Nimby Run (9-10) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Caesar's Palace (GER) 7-2 (10-10) Led, headed 7th, soon ridden and lost place, in 8th approaching last, stayed on well flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Rebelle (11-11) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Water Pistol 5-1 (9-10) Close up, lost place 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden and headway 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 13l behind Jendali Lad (9-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Keen Warrior 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 8th, hit 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb beating Speedro (11-11) by 8l, 16 ran.
