mostly disputing 2nd, close after 4 out, challenged outside and every chance when fell heavily 2 out
towards rear, driven after 4 out, no chance when mistake last
jumped left throughout, led, came stands side and narrowly headed 3 out, every chance when left 3rd 2 out, no impresison between last 2, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
always behind, mistake 6th
took keen hold, soon disputing 2nd, every chance when left chasing winner 2 out, no impression between last 2, lost 2nd last
took keen hold in touch, mistake and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders in 4th, driven and weakened soon after 4 out
held up towards rear, steady headway to chase leading trio after 4 out, challenged and hit 3 out, soon led, clear between last 2, hit last
not fluent, behind, struggling before 6th, no chance after
behind, blundered 3 out, no danger after
in touch in 5th until blundered and lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Here's Johnny is the pick over Square Mile, with Buster Collins best of the remainder. The three mentioned look head and shoulders above the rest, and preference is for Here's Johnny who developed a leg problem after landing a Huntingdon bumper in March 2004. He bounced back from a 598-day spell on the sidelines when successful in a Sandown bumper in November, after which trainer Victor Dartnell revealed that he rates him among the best he's ever had. So, it was a bit disappointing to say the least to see him never perform when a beaten favourite on his hurdles bow at Hereford in January. He is much better at home than he showed there, and sure to have been well schooled in the two-months since, is taken to bounce back and stamp his class. Square Mile may not have handled the fast ground when beaten at Ludlow, but that was his first outing since October, and this future chaser is expected to give a good account, with the trip not a problem. Buster Collins was a soft-ground winning pointer in Ireland and shaped well to be third on his debut over hurdles at Lingfield just a fortnight ago. He is another that will not mind conditions or distance today, but Here's Johnny can take this before going on to better things.
Square Mile (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Secured (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Jan.
All For A Reason (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Jumped right 1st, held up, headway after 7th, close up 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 18, 49l behind Regents Walk (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Dec '04.
Buster Collins (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, effort 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 3rd of 12, 27l behind Zipalong Lad (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Christon Cane 14-1 (11-2) Held up, behind halfway, stayed on from 2f out but not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 11l behind Lin d'Estruval (11-2) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Apr '04.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Held up, headway to join leaders 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 43l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Icomb (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 15th of 18, well behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Lyster (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division until weakened after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Livingonaknifedge (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Orange Street 66-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, prominent, chased winner briefly 2 out, weakened well before last, 5th of 12, 32l behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) Oscar gelding out of bumper winner Karenda.
Sparklinspirit 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, beaten and disputing 4th when fell last fell at the last in race won by Adventurist (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Feb, 13 ran.
Wednesday Country (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 15, 7l behind Kicks For Free (11-6) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
