made all, keen with mistakes early, ridden after 2 out, kept on well
chased leaders and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
chased winner, ridden and challenged 2 out, one pace
held up, lost touch and struggling from 5th
always behind, struggling from 4th
always towards rear, never dangerous
Rehearsal is on the upgrade and can beat Afrad, with Admiral and Voy Por Ustedes seen as the main dangers. A winner on the Flat for Clive Cox last year, Rehearsal has taken really well to his new career, and judged on his Musselburgh victory, can prove to be another moneyspinner for the Elite Racing Club. After that victory at the Scottish track, Tony Dobbin felt that the hill at Cheltenham would prove too much for the four-year-old, and in any case the owners had Penzance to rely on, so the plan was to run either at Aintree or here where the track will suit him more. Rehearsal gets the call over Admiral who is a bit more experienced and who also bypassed Aintree to wait for this as the ground is forecast to be better. The selection has more scope though and is preferred. Afrad won well enough at Newbury but needed cut in the ground when successful during his French days, and Howard Johnson, who may well have won this had he run Akilak, instead relies on Isidore Bonheur and Thistle who would both have to improve to figure. A bigger danger may well be Voy Por Ustedes who is highly thought off but just seemed to go off the boil prior to connections shelving plans to run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. With more to come, Rehearsal is the pick.
Admiral (IRE) 11-8 Raced keenly in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd beating Iron Man by 3l, 15 ran.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 11-10fav Held up, headway 5th, going well 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 8l behind United at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) sft in Mar.
Afrad (FR) 5-4fav Led to 3rd, led 5th, headed 2 out, led last and ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec beating Simonovski by 2l, 12 ran.
L'oudon (FR) 12-1 Held up, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Faasel at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs, 12 ran.
Rehearsal 6-4jt-fav Mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon led, hit 2 out, left clear last, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Feb beating King's Envoy by 12l, 14 ran.
Alphecca (USA) 11-4 Held up in 5th, pushed along 4f out, driven on outer 2f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 5l behind Sights On Gold at Epsom 1m 2f stk (B) gd in Aug (Flat).
Isidore Bonheur (IRE) 11-1 Held up in touch, ridden and lost place from 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Thistle 16-1 Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Rehearsal at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Feb.
