chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led soon after, in command 2 out, easily
in touch until lost place and dropped to rear 5th, headway approaching last, stayed on run-in to snatch moderate 3rd near finish
held up, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, chased winner soon after 4 out, no impression after 2 out, lost second last, weakened and lost moderate 3rd near finish
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, left moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression after next, went moderate 2nd last
not jumped well, behind, mistake 5th and 6th, soon driven along, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, smooth headway to track leaders 3 out, switched to inside and about 2 lengths 3rd when tried to run out and slipped up 2 out
with leader, ridden to lead briefly 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up approaching 2 out
made most to 4 out, weakened quickly next
in touch until ridden 4 out and soon weakened
hit 3rd, always in rear
Paulo Dancer, Kimi and Nudge and Nurdle are the three to look at here and preference is for Paulo Dancer. Kimi showed plenty of ability for Noel Chance in four bumpers last season but was unable to get his head in front. He may be a touch one paced in the closing stages and can be taken on on his hurdling bow. Nudge and Nurdle has shown ability in two maiden hurdles and although he was only third in an average contest at Worcester, he was staying on at the finish and this longer trip can see him to better effect, particularly with the yard having made such a good start to the season. Paul Nicholls described Paulo Dancer as being 'weak' last year but he looked far from that on his seasonal re-appearance as he won very impressively, although he may not have beaten much. Nonetheless Paolo Dancer looks set to win this contest.
Paulo Dancer (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, drew well clear after 3 out, hit last, eased flat, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd beating Barclay Boy (10-12) by 17l, 9 ran.
Blazing Batman 33-1 (10-6) Behind from halfway, 7th of 17, 34l behind Up The Pub (11-2) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Kimi (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Led at decent pace, ridden and headed inside final 3f, no chance with winner inside final 2f but kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Jean Le Poisson (10-11) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Le Burf (FR) 11-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 9f out to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 22l behind Star Award (10-8) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Legally Fast (USA) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden and effort after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 13, 38l behind Cannon Fire (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Mightymississippi (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led to 3rd, chased leader after until 9th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mumbles Head (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Enlightenment (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased winner, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Warpath (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Something Gold (FR) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, reminders 4th, outpaced 9th, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 13, 16l behind Ally Shrimp (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Sparklinspirit 5-1jt-fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, soon headed, kept on from next, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Talarive (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Surfboard (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Led to approaching 3rd, weakened 5th, soon well behind, 9th of 14, well behind Wellbeing (11-2) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gf in Mar.
