held up in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, outpaced 8th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, pulled up after 6th
held up, chased leaders halfway, led 7th, clear when not fluent 2 out, kept on well
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, chased winner after 4 out, outpaced when hit 2 out
chased leader, lost place approaching 2nd
led to 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 9th
always behind, pulled up before 7th
always behind, pulled up after 6th
The winner should come from the following quartet: Harry Wood, Companero, Stop The Show and Mr Preacher Man. The stable's form is a concern but Companero gets our vote. The selection was unbeaten in three starts in Irish points and was having his first outing since December 2006 when a length and a quarter behind Harry Wood on his Rules debut. The run and experience will have done him good and he's on the right end of a 6lb swing in the weights. Harry Wood is a consistent sort who will relish the conditions and won't go down without a fight; he should expose any chinks in the selection's armour. Stop The Show has been well placed to win his last two and will do well to make it three in this company although he is heading in the right direction so he can't be confidently dismissed. Mr Preacher Man failed to give his running in a valuable handicap at Haydock last time but he has claims if back on song. It's difficult to see many of the others featuring at the business end and Companero is the call.
Stop The Show (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, took closer order 8th, tracked leader 4 out, stayed on to lead line, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb beating Glen Omen (10-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Anglican (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, driven approaching 6th, ridden next, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 16, well behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Harry Wood (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, not fluent last, soon led, hard ridden, kept on well, won at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Companero (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mr Preacher Man 7-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Billsgrey (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) With leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 20l behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Companero (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, led and hit 3 out, headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Harry Wood (10-12) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Durante (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always behind, 7th of 11, 49l behind Aigle D'or (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Of Course (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 6th, soon lost place, tailed off, 6th of 16, well behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Old Noddy (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Behind, blundered badly 1st, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Serve Notice (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Noble Alan (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
The Gay Gordons 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 5f out, 14th of 15, well behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan '07.
Bleak Friday 200-1 (10-0) Led to 4th, led again approaching 8th, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Basoda (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Earvee (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Prominent, 4th halfway, weakened from 5 out, 12th of 17, well behind Prince Massini (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in May.
