in rear, reminders after 6th, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 11th
led, driven after 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no impression with winner flat, lost 2nd final strides
mid-division, tracked leaders 18th, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, switched inside between last 2, soon ridden, led after last, drew clear flat
tracked leaders, reminder after 15th, mistake next (water), challenged 5 out to next, weakened 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, in touch 15th, chased leader after 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 3rd after last, stayed on to regain 2nd final strides
always behind, struggling 16th (water), tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 12th, reminder after 14th, outpaced 5 out, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
mid-division, chased leaders 17th, weakeend 5 out, behind when pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place and behind 15th, tailed off when pulled up 19th
tracked leader to 19th, weakened and pulled up after 5 out
tracked leaders, lost place 17th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
This looks wide-open, though respective Warwick and Stratford scorers Coolking and Qulinton are upped in grade off higher marks. Upham Atom has stamina in abundance and could figure while Financial Climate's stable is on a high and he's been in good form lately. Whats Happening would have every chance at the weights while Herdsman has been keeping better company and could improve for the fitting of blinkers. VELATOR needs plenty of encouragement but stays well and likes fast ground. He finished ahead of Golden Chieftain at Newton Abbot last month before his second at Chepstow and gets the vote ahead of Loose Chips, who has returned to his best lately.
Herdsman (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along before 15th, soon weakened pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Milborough (10-8) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Loose Chips 11-4 (11-5) Led, not fluent 6th, headed 3 out, 4 lengths down last, rallied flat, unable to quite get back at idling winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind A Good Skin (11-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Whats Happening (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, pushed along before 12th, not fluent next, ridden before 4 out, kept on to take 3rd place near finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Global Power (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
Financial Climate (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3rd until after 5th, stayed prominent, closed on winner after last, no further impression and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Carruthers (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Mar.
Velator 9-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, not fluent 13th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner, stayed on, eased close home, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Samingarry (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Upham Atom 10-1 (10-13) Held up, progress into 4th at 11th, chased leading pair 17th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, well held in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Grove Pride (10-9) at Taunton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Mar.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders after 14th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Farbreaga (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, jumped slowly 8th, struggling in 6th 13th, went left 3 out, modest 4th from 2 out, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 9, 9l behind Shuil Royale (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Coolking 7-4 (11-7) Made all, clear 16th, 4 lengths ahead 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar beating Hi Vic (11-10) by 3l, 4 ran.
Qulinton (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Made all, pushed clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar beating Musical Wedge (10-0) by 7l, 5 ran.
Susquehanna River (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) In touch, weakened from 6 out, 6th of 7, 46l behind Firebird Flyer (11-2) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
