held up, headway 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
took keen hold early, prominent, lost place approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner towards finish
mid-division, lost place 5th
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out and not fluent, soon ridden, kept on
mid-division, struggling from 5th
prominent, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway and 5 lengths down when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
always behind, jumped slow 1st, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, lost place when blundered 4 out
held up, hampered 4 out, never dangerous
The three to concentrate on in this opener look to be April San, Evelith Echo and Well Saved, and we will side with Evelith Echo. The Alan King-trained selection used his four bumper runs well in the early part of this year, progressing to win his last two, and acting on both soft and faster ground. Those dual victories set the standard here and provided he jumps well enough on his hurdling debut then he can score. Well Saved appears to be the main danger. J P McManus's runner makes his British debut and has his first run over hurdles after three placed efforts in Irish bumpers. He should act well on the ground and would not have to make a major improvement to trouble the selection, so he is respected. April San was a flat winner over 10f in France on good ground and went pretty well over this sort of trip in two runs in England last season. Still an entire, if Ferdy Murphy can elicit improvement he won't be too far away. Mr Merlot looks to be best of the rest, but Evelith Echo gets the vote.
April San 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led briefly last, ridden, no extra flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Solitary Palm (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Bayberry King (USA) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened, 12th of 15, 40l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Benellino 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 12, 37l behind Mexican Bob (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Brigadore (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 36l behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Emile Zola 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last, 5th of 16, 31l behind Restless D'artaix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '05.
Evelith Echo 3-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, swtiched right entering final furlong, hard ridden and kept on to lead near finish, won at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gf in Apr beating Quws Law (11-11) by a nk, 12 ran.
Mr Merlot 33-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and headway from 3f out, no impression on front 2, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Hello You (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Penfull (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 4th, weakened next, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Middleton Dene (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Well Saved (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Always, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge entering straight, no impression from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Arbor Supreme (11-3) at Leopardstown 2m nhf sft in Jan.
Mystik Megan 14-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, led after 2f until hung right and ran out in race won by Avoine (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in Jul, 12 ran.
Rinnwood Lass (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 5th of 12, 12l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
Supreme Gem (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Mistake 5th, ridden and no headway approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 34l behind Kempley Green (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
