mid-division until weakened after 3 out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always mid-division, hung right from last
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon headed and ridden, kept on
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
chased leader, led 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, ridden out
mid-division, towards rear when fell
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, disputing 4th, held when mistake last
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led, clear 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Gansey is sure to be popular but holes can be picked in his form and he's likely to be short enough in the market. His owner has a good record in this race and he may well win but we prefer to take a chance with Laborec. Barring a run over an inadequate 2 miles at Aintree on his second start over hurdles the selection has looked quietly progressive. Given his stout pedigree, he may not have been seen to his best at Aintree and Musselburgh where he has made all bar one of his starts. The handicapper hasn't taken many chances but his trainer knows what's required to win this race and it would be no surprise to see him show considerable improvement for this test. Overclear showed smart form behind Group Captain and Working Title last time but it will take a huge effort to win this from topweight whilst Oscar Bay has work to do to reverse Chepstow form with Forest Pennant whose chance is boosted by his jockey's claim. Supreme Ruler already has the scalp of Jered under his belt and can be expected to run a big race this afternoon. Andytown is partnered by Tony Dobbin for the first time and looks to have a big chance on his defeat of Ignotus and his close up second to Tot O'Whiskey. He should be a threat to all as should Gansey. The Nicholls runner is relatively unexposed given that he was pitched into Grade 2 company on his second start (where he disappointed) before winning a modest affair at Fakenham. Having been tried at such a high level it would be no surprise were he to turn out to be well handicapped but we prefer to take a chance with Laborec at a bigger price.
Overclear 4-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on one pace after, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Group Captain (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (1) gs in Feb.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Made all, ridden 3 out, driven clear from last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Calgary Bay (11-11) by 7l, 17 ran.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 2-5fav (11-9) Tracked leader from 2nd, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Shining Gale (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Supreme Ruler (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Theatre Dance (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Boomerang (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Quickbeam (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Gansey (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Made all, clear 2 out, blundered badly last, stayed on flat, won at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Lord Appellare (11-3) by 7l, 9 ran.
Shining Gale (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied flat, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Forest Pennant (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Tot O'Whiskey 10-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, joined leaders 5th, led 7th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 12l behind Backbord (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Quarry Town (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Chased leaders until dropped rear 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Cryptic (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Beshabar (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up, some headway approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 17, 26l behind Oscar Bay (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up, never dangerous, 14th of 18, 35l behind Backbord (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, led flat, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Latanier (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Laborec (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, not pace of winner from next, 2nd of 15, 2l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Mister Gloss (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Made all, jumped and hung left from 3 out, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb beating Crank Hill (11-4) by 7l, 13 ran.
Sovereign King 12-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on after last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Theatre Dance (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
All For The Cause (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 15, 16l behind Riguez Dancer (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Andytown (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Prominent, effort 2 out, ridden to lead last, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Ignotus (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Gullible Gordon (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
