with leader, until approaching 4th, ridden to challenged 3 out, one pace from last
held up, hit 6th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed after next, one pace
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, led after next, drew clear from last
held up in rear, 3 lengths down in 4th, staying on when hit and unseated rider 2 out
Kidithou, Petit Lord and Spring Breeze make up the shortlist here with the vote going to the last-named. Ferdy Murphy's charge will appreciate today's quicker ground and with his last two runs discounted due to unsuitably heavy ground, he looks sure to mount a bold bid off this mark. The stable are in form and he looks the call in an open race. Kidithou continues to rise up the weights but there was no disgrace in his recent second so a repeat of that run should see him involved at the business end, however Petit Lord has the services of Ruby Walsh aboard again today. There are slight doubts about whether this step up in trip will work the oracle, but he should get it on this quicker ground so he rates a live danger. Russian Sky is fairly exposed but at least he is fairly consistent so he cannot be left out of calculations, however for the winner we have no qualms in returning to Ferdy Murphy's Spring Breeze.
Spring Breeze 100-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 7th of 20, 24l behind Millenium Royal (11-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Kadount (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Towards rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Silver Jack (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Russian Sky 7-4fav (11-0) Led, hit 4th, reminder after 7th, mistake 5 out, headed 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Sports Express (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
Petit Lord (FR) 4-1fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway to track leaders 6th, effort when hit 2 out, 3rd, held when hit last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Royal Katidoki (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Kidithou (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, held flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Wot Way Chief (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
