held up in rear, tracked leaders 9th, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, led 8th, clear after 3 out
behind, reminders 2nd, chased leaders approaching 10th, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
held up, went 2nd approaching 3 out until next, one pace
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, one pace from 3 out
close up, pushed along approaching 10th, soon eased, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led approaching 6th, headed 8th, weakened from 6 out
always towards rear
led, headed approaching and blundered 6th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 8th
in rear, weakened 4 out
TAROTINO can go in again now that he has got his act together with Templer and Corlande prominent amongst the dangers. Alan King's charge only needs to overcome a 3lb rise in order to complete his hat-trick and should be man enough for the task. He looked promising at the start of the season when running well in defeat behind Tartak before completely losing his way but is back on track now and can make hay this summer. Templer would have been involved in the finish at Stratford but for his fall and merits respect given the winner's subsequent performance at Punchestown. Corlande ploughed through the heavy ground at Ayr to win going away to maintain an excellent strike rate over fences. He comes here a fresh horse and the handicapper didn't overreact but his record suggests that he'll need rain. Almaydan is still paying for his win at Doncaster, Thunder Rock has a bit to prove and Ferimon's probably high enough in the weights now but Sou'wester merits respect on the back of a decent run. Ready preference, though, is for the progressive Tarotino.
Almaydan 16-1 (10-8) In touch and keen, mistake 4th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 19l behind Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Tarotino (FR) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led briefly 9th, led again 11th, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Soixante (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway into 5th approaching 4 out, driven after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 7l behind Sashenka (10-1) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Sou'wester 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led after 13th, ridden from 2 out, headed near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fier Normand (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Templer (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Prominent, led 6th, hit and headed 10th, regained lead after 2 out, ridden and joined when fell last, in a race won by De Boitron (10-10) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Ferimon 13-2 (11-8) Led 2nd, headed after 13th, led again approaching last, stayed on under pressure, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Will The Till (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Corlande (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, desputed lead after 7th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied 3 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Something Silver (10-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bronzesmith 25-1 (11-6) Held up, headway approaching 14th, weakened last, 4th of 12, 21l behind Roulez Cool (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Back Among Friends 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened from last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 7, 41l behind Tarabaloo (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
