held up in touch, challenged 2 out, a close 2nd when blundered last, kept on, no chance with winner
led until after 3rd, tracked leader, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outer before 3 out, hit last, soon weakened
with leader, led after 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, lost 2nd place, kept on same pace
close up, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, challenged on bit before 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders on outer, weakened after 4 out, pulled up after next
held up behind, headway before 3 out, ridden next, kept on strongly from last
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along before 3 out, weakening when hit last
held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, no impression
prominent on inner, pushed along and blundered 5th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear on outer, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division and keen, headway on outer over 3 out, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2 out, no impression
A few of these come into the race at the top of their game, including the hat-trick seeking Lady Bluesky and Fujin Dancer, who has struck up a good understanding with Harriet Bethell. Circus Clown, Grand Diamond and Willie Hall boast consistent form at a slightly lower level, while veteran Culcabock has dropped to a decent mark and was just caught at Newcastle last month. It would be no surprise to see top weight Sure Josie Sure in the firing-line under the promising Conor O'Farrell and Kaolak will enjoy the good ground and flat track but there is surely more to come from REMEMBER NOW. Nicky Henderson's half-brother to champion hurdler Binocular has been put up 6lb for a narrow win at Stratford but that was only his fourth start over timber and he has more scope than today's rivals.
Sure Josie Sure (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up behind on outside, pushed along 4th, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 12, 35l behind Via Galilei (10-1) at Newbury 2m con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Maska Pony (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 39l behind Mad Moose (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, jumped left 7th, headway and disputing 3rd when jumped left and blundered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Up To The Mark (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Toshi (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hunterview (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Teenage Idol (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon rallied, ridden to challenge last, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Charingworth (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Culcabock (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and pressed before last, headed towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 4, hd behind Best Prospect (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Remember Now (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway on inner approaching 3 out, led soon after, ridden before last, headed flat, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Tatispout (10-2) by shd, 11 ran.
Sunarri (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Bold Sir Brian (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 13-2 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, all out, won at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Amazing King (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Willie Hall 15-8fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed last 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Kai Broon (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Kaolak (USA) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after 4 out, led again 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Red Merlin (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gd in Mar.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching and hit 2 out, pecked slightly last, kept on to take 2nd final 100 yards, always held, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Master Fong (11-5) at Haydock 2m sll hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Circus Clown (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Held up in touch on inside, left 2nd briefly 4 out, challenged 2 out, not fluent last, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Kempski (9-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Lady Bluesky 5-4 (11-3) Keen early, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar beating Ouest Eclair (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Cassius (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort next, never on terms, 6th of 15, 34l behind Rolecarr (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Freddie Brown 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 4 out, kept on from last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Wyse Hill Teabags (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Arisea (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 5th of 10, 33l behind Kai Broon (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
