in touch, struggling and lost place approaching 3 out, never on terms after
led until hit 4th, with leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
prominent, led 4th, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, kept on same pace
held up behind, crept closer from 3 out, challenged approaching last, led flat, driven out
in touch, not fluent 1st, headway 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, hit last, soon ridden and headed, no extra
mid-division, struggling after 3 out, no chance from next
struggling 7th, always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace after
chased leaders, struggling when hit 3 out, soon behind
Nonrunner
Earth Planet, Knock On The Head and Newton Bridge have fewer questions to answer than many in this field so we'll concentrate on those three but this does look an open race. Earth Planet is selected. Trouble At Bay and Amour Multiple have stamina doubts, Royals Darling, Gabier, Overstrand and My Turn Now have been struggling for form, Irish Legend and Silverhay don't look good enough whilst this is a step up in class for Rapid Increase and Light Yield. Liberate and Nacarat both look well handicapped whilst Bremen should appreciate this better ground and may improve for blinkers but we prefer the other three. Newton Bridge has enjoyed a fine season but he meets Knock On The Head on 6lb worse terms for around 3 lengths on their running at Fairyhouse last month but he may well be able to confirm the form as he has proven his affinity for the track. Either way, we'll be siding with Earth Planet who is improving and could be on a potentially decent mark. He showed smart form when twice making the frame in graded bumpers and there was a lot to like about his latest performance which coincided with him being fitted with a tongue tie. Trip and ground should be fine and we'll take Earth Planet to score.
Trouble At Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, beaten when mistake last, 6th of 21, 11l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
My Turn Now (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Narrow lead to 2nd, remained prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly after 3 out, last of 8, 44l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Royals Darling (GER) 5-1 (11-8) Led, blundered badly 4th, lost touch from 8th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Modicum (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Prominent until weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, 30l behind Trouble At Bay (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Nacarat (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Made most until fell at the 5th in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, headway after 1th, struggling after 3 out, 11th of 22, 26l behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Earth Planet (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Raced wide, mid-division, headway 5th, went 3rd next, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar beating Von Galen (10-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Knock On The Head (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 9th 4 out, progress into 6th after 3 out, 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 22, 5l behind Good Fella (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl gs in Mar.
Bremen 15-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, chasing leaders after next, soon ridden, one pace when mistake, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Hopkins (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
Newton Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 5th and headway 3 out, 2nd and challenged next, led approaching last, headed early run-in, kept on, 2nd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Good Fella (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl gs in Mar.
Gabier 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway on inside after 5th, blundered 8th, soon weakened, 18th of 21, 39l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, disputing 4th, held when mistake last, 5th of 17, 12l behind Beshabar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Irish Legend (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Pistol Desbois (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar.
Silverhay 25-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened after 11th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Lead On (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Liberate 10-3 (10-12) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent, headed 6th, lead again 8th, blundered, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 15l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Light Yield (USA) 9-4 (11-4) Led to 3rd, ridden when not fluent 5th, soon outpaced, rallied from 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar beating Fredo (10-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
