led until over 9f out, weakening when not clear run over 4f out
held up, not much room after 4f, soon behind
held up towards rear, some headway over 3f out, never on terms
held up, headway after 4f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along when hampered 6f out, soon behind
tracked leader, led over 9f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and not quicken towards finish
took keen hold, held up, headway halfway, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, hampered and lost place 5f out, rallied over 3f out, edged right over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
held up, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch until ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, hampered and lost place after 5f, stayed on final 2f, not troubled leaders
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, held up, stayed on final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4f out, one pace final 2f
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 7f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
This is always a very informative contest and the likes of Refinement, Glasker Mill and The Cool Guy are all names to conjure with in times to come. However, there was an awful lot to like about the way Mendo went about his task on his rules debut and he is expected to be very hard to beat here. Noel Chance has traditionally done very well with his runners in this area of racing but appears to have one with enormous potential in Mendo. The son of Alderbrook skipped away from his field at Sandown and looks the typical National Hunt type. He has all the correct attributes for consideration here. Refinement will be popular after her effort in the Cheltenham bumper, while Noland also caught the eye at Wincanton and is yet another whose career is worth monitoring. The Cool Guy represents a yard that have enjoyed a great season and he has been saved especially for this since he was last seen out. However, it was really taking the way that Mendo knew what was required of him at Sandown and he gets a confident vote from us to follow up today.
Charming Fellow (IRE) 11-4fav Prominent, chased winner over 4f out, hard ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Hobbs Hill at Kempton 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Coolawarra (IRE) 9-1 Held up, outpaced over 4f out, soon ridden, headway well over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar beating Bayside by a nk, 14 ran.
Cracboumwiz (FR) 13-2 Held up in touch, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar beating Hibernian by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dusky Lord 10-1 In touch, hard ridden and close up from 3f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Earth Man at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Glasker Mill (IRE) 14-1 Took keen hold early, mid-division, smooth headway from 4f out, challenged over 2f out, soon led, pushed clear final furlong, won at Kempton 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb beating Promise To Be Good by 4l, 13 ran.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 12-1 In touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no danger after, 7th of 24, 8l behind Missed That at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Mendo 13-2 Close up going well, went 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out, won at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb beating Dunsfold Duke by 6l, 15 ran.
Some Touch (IRE) 16-1 Held up, headway into 5th 5f out, 3rd 4f out, 2nd over 1f out, kept on well without troubling winner, 2nd of 20, 6l behind Firth Of Forth at Gowran Park 2m 1f nhf hvy in Feb.
The Cool Guy (IRE) 7-2co-fav Tracked leaders, led 3f out, well clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar beating Sheriff Roscoe by 12l, 15 ran.
Witch Wind 7-2 Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and challenged over 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Ayr 2m nhf (H) hvy in Feb beating You Do The Math by 2l, 11 ran.
Flintoff (USA) 4-1 Held up, headway 5f out, led over 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Mar beating Double Gin by a nk, 13 ran.
High Kick 9-4 Held up, ridden and outpaced 3f out, ran on and edged left inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Cracboumwiz at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Joke Club 3-1 Held up, headway 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1l behind There Is No Doubt at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Khudabad (IRE) 12-1 Held up in touch, improved into 5th approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure, 4th of 10, 11l behind Avoca Mist at Fairyhouse 2m nhf sft in Mar.
Nice Horse (FR) 33-1 Always towards rear, 19th of 24, 33l behind Missed That at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Noland 6-5fav Held up behind, smooth headway from half way, led on bit over 1f out, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar beating Ballybough Jack by 5l, 18 ran.
Promise To Be Good 2-1fav Mid-division, headway going well over 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon driven and one pace final furlong, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Glasker Mill at Kempton 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Rimsky (IRE) 11-4 Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Mar beating Autumn Red by a nk, 11 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 6-4fav With leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Newcastle 1m 6f nhf (H) gd in Dec beating General Hardi by a nk, 18 ran.
Wishin And Hopin 50-1 Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Exeter 1m 5f 4yo nhf (H) sft in Jan beating Hiho Silver Lining by 2l, 14 ran.
Avoca Mist (IRE) 8-1 Tracked leaders on outer, 5th 5f out, improved into 3rd 3f out, 2nd and challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Fairyhouse 2m nhf sft in Mar beating La Marianne by a nk, 10 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 6-1 Mid-division, steady headway from 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Missed That at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
