made all and set stayed pace, quicked up 7f out, ridden 6f out, challenged over 2f out, kept on very gamely
held up rear, close up order 6f out, ridden and one pace 2f out
held up and keen, headway 6f out, ridden and edging right, staying on, not reached leader
held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, hanging left when switched right 1f out, one pace
held up and keen, headway 4f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Golden Child can beat the Irish raider Jimmy Ber, with Willie Pep and Sirnando others worth a mention. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his bumper team in fine form at present, and that augurs well for the chance of Golden Child who was well fancied to score at Worcester on his debut. He did not disappoint, and can go close here despite having to shoulder a penalty. Jimmy Ber is a half-brother to Liberman so has to be of interest, especially as Dessie Hughes takes the trouble to bring him over, while the well-related Willie Pep beat the useful Hennessy on his debut at Taunton in January, and may be a threat if handling the ground. Sirnando has a penalty and has had his limitations exposed, but any support for Carl Llewellyn's newcomer R'Cam should be noted. We return to Golden Child as the pick.
Golden Child (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct beating Ace of Clubs (10-11) by 6l, 14 ran.
Sirnando 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Wizard of Odds (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gf in Oct.
Willie Pep (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) In touch, ridden 4f out, headway over 3f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jan beating Hennessy (11-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Charming Oscar (IRE) Oscar Schindler gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Wenceslas.
Jimmy Ber (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to winners up to 2m including smart bumper/hurdler Liberman.
R'Cam (IRE) Glacial Storm gelding out of an unraced mare.
West Ridge 40-1 (10-8) Held up, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Kicks For Free (11-6) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Chicago Alley 17-2 (11-0) Held up, headway on inside over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 14, 21l behind Programme Girl (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) sft in May.
