made all, clear from last, ran on well
tracked winner, bumped before 2 out, soon lost 2nd, no extra last
chased leaders, raced on outside until before 3rd, not clear run and bumped before 2 out, soon went 2nd, no impression on winner last
chased leaders, switched to outside before 3rd, closed 5th, not fluent 3 out, lost place before next, eased
chased leaders on inside, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, lost place on bend before 2 out
held up in rear, headway towards outside before 2 out, soon 3rd, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last
OUR MERLIN didn’t go down without a fight behind Betfair Hurdle fifth Remiluc at Cheltenham last time. He’d come up against a smart performer in his previous race at Sandown having completed a hat-trick here in December. Though he’s still creeping up the handicap. Robert Walford’s six-year-old should take all the beating. Hurricane Hollow looks held on the form book and seemed to appreciate the step up to 2m5f last time at Wincanton but Unison’s win here at the start of the month was boosted when the runner-up ran well again at Ascot on Saturday. Black Mischief makes his handicap debut so is worth a market check and makes more appeal than an out-of-sorts Coillte Lass and Caid Du Lin.
Unison (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, joined 4 out, headed after next, rallied and led again approaching omitted last, ran on gamely (1 hurdle omitted), won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Friday Night Light (10-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Coillte Lass (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 9th, soon lost place, beaten 4 out, 4th of 6, 27 1/4l behind Dream Bolt (11-7) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led before 7th, awkward and headed next, lost 2nd and weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Hurricane Hollow 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, closed 3 out, 2nd next, every chance last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Captain Cattistock (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Our Merlin 10-1 (11-0) Led, driven and headed between last 2, ridden and kept on same pace flat, held when lost 2nd final 150 yards, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Remiluc (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Black Mischief 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway before 6th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Classic Ben (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Dovils Date 50-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 20, dist behind Kansas City Chief (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
