tracked leaders, hit 5 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, just held on to 2nd
in touch, headway to track leaders 6th, hit and led 2 out, clear next
tracked leader until ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up last
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
close up, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, not trouble leaders
reluctant to race, detached when refused and unseated rider at 3rd
held up, headway to track leaders 6th, ridden to track leader 3 out, stayed on towards finish
Galuppi is perhaps not the most straightforward but eventually won with plenty to spare last time at Hexham and should prove competitive again off a 7lb higher mark over the slightly longer trip. Nevertheless, this looks a rather tougher assignment with a couple of promising younger types heading up the opposition. Bali Body, a former Joseph O'Brien inmate, stuck on well to score at Hereford three weeks ago and must be respected but STORM NELSON has been a really decisive winner of his last two starts and the form is holding up nicely. He handles both soft and good ground, stays this far and champion jockey Brian Hughes has been booked.
Bali Body (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led narrowly approaching 2 out, ridden before last where not fluent, driven out flat, won at Hereford 3m 2f mdn (4) sft in Mar beating Glentrool (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Storm Nelson (IRE) 11-10fav (10-13) Tracked leader, pushed before 2 out, led after 2 out and driven clear, dived at last but soon recovered, comfortably, won at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Ashfield Paddy (11-12) by 11l, 5 ran.
Show Promise 9-1 (11-8) Disputed lead early stages, tracked leader after the 3rd, mistake 7th, ridden and disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Poppa Poutine (12-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Justforjames (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Not fluent and slow at times, in rear, hit 7th, left 4th and hampered 11th, never on terms, well beaten and jumped left 3 out, 4th of 7, 35 1/4l behind William Of Orange (11-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Devour (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) In rear, ridden and lost touch before 3 out, jumped left last, no extra, 6th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Aquila Sky (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Hidden Dilemma (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Waited with, 16th from 6th, headway to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out, 6th of 20, 13 1/4l behind Fierami (11-12) at Navan 2m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
Presence Felt (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) In touch with leaders, lost position after 4 out, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind All Hail Caesar (11-6) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Galuppi 18-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, last with a circuit to go, smooth progress before 2 out, led soon after 2 out eased clear, pushed out after last, readily, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Kildrum (10-9) by 9l, 8 ran.
Sketrick (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 11th of 20, dist behind No Thanks (11-8) at Down Royal 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Mar.