mid-division, no impression 3 out, well beaten after next
held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never threatened to get to leaders
held up in mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
made most until before 4th, led before 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, one pace flat
prominent, pushed along after 6th, led 2 out, headed last, every chance flat, just held
prominent, led briefly before 2nd, led before 4th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened then mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, 4th 2 out, soon switched left, led last, hard pressed, held on well
mid-division, headway after 6th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, jumped left 2 out, stayed on same pace last
held up towards rear, well beaten before 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, well behind 3 out
mistake 3rd, always towards rear
NonRunner
Quite a few of these have shown a sufficient level of form to suggest they can land a maiden hurdle of this nature with GARRAN CITY making most appeal as he remains less exposed than his main rivals. The point-to-point winner ran an excellent first race for David Pipe last month when a close third over course and distance behind Champagne Champ, a repeat of which would probably be good enough here. However, it's reasonable to expect a considerable jolt of improvement too and he is preferred to Samburu Shujaa. The latter ran his best race to date on his penultimate start on heavy ground and a run to that level here would make him a major adversary for the Hobbs and Johnson team. The consistent Ocean Cove and the promising Reelingintheyears also merit short-list inclusion.
Alminar (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2, tailed off, 5th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Golden Sunrise (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Ballymagroarty Boy (IRE) 250-1 (11-3) Behind, tailed off after 6th, 9th of 15, dist behind Champagne Champ (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Big Fred (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, reminders 3 out and outpaced, went 3rd before last, plugged on, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Scorpion Sid (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Buster Moon (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until 2nd, close up after, ridden and hit 3 out, soon lost touch, 4th of 5, 17 1/2l behind Kupatana (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Garran City (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed from 4th, went 2nd before last, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Champagne Champ (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Jurys Out (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Shied to the right as tape was released, 2nd from 2nd, led 5th, not fluent and headed next, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Carole's Vigilante (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Reelingintheyears (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led and disputed, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra from last, 6th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Chateauneuf Du Pap (11-4) at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Samburu Shujaa (FR) 11-8 (11-2) Tracked leader, led and jumped left 2 out, soon headed, one pace and lost 2nd place before and not fluent last, 3rd of 5, 6 1/2l behind King Calvin (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Wahwonaisa 100-1 (11-2) Jumped slightly right at times, mid-division, well beaten after 3 out, 7th of 10, 35 1/4l behind The Premier Celtic (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Cadira Beeches 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, lost touch after 6th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Maronette 33-1 (10-5) Close up, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place, 5th of 8, dist behind Theclockisticking (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Ocean Cove (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went wide before 5th until after 7th, led after 8th, headed next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 4, 24 3/4l behind Game On (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Feb.
