always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up mid-division, headway 8th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 6th, hard ridden 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mistakes, soon prominent, lost place 10th, rallied 5 out, to be nearest the finish
mistake 3rd, soon well behind, tailed off pulled up before 8th
held up rear, headway 12th, chased leader and every chance 4 out, ridden 2 out, switched right flat, no extra close home
behind from 7th
behind from 8th, tailed off pulled up before 12th
soon prominent, lost place 9th, soon no danger
held up, headway 12th, tracked leader from next, led approaching 4 out, edged left flat ran on well
led to after 2nd, with leader, led 8th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, led after 2nd to 8, in touch till weakened 13th, soon behind
prominent, not fluent 1st and 2nd, in touch till 8th, weakening when mistake 13th
held up in touch, mistake 9th, weakened approaching 4 out
A poor contest to kick-off the card and we take Alvaro to be too good for Southerndown and Nordic Prince. The selection gets this trip pretty well and acts with cut in the ground, though he has to put a disappointing effort at Hereford last time behind him. Since then, he has had a break, and as he goes well fresh, acts on the track, and he looks more capable than any of winning off his current mark. Southerndown will also have supporters. He gets the trip and is also at home on the ground, and he has the benefit of Richard Johnson in the plate. However, although he is much lower than his last winning chase mark, it has been a long time between drinks for him and he clearly looks vulnerable. You can't seriously fancy much else here, though topweight Nordic Prince was winning off 108 over hurdles less than 12 months ago. He is due for another drop soon, but he hasn't been totally devoid of chasing form of late and could get involved.
Nordic Prince (IRE) 6-1 Made most until headed 2 out, weakened, 4th of 11, 35l behind Jacksonville at Hexham 3m 1f amt hcp chs (G) gs.
Koko Kabana (IRE) 16-1 Held up, progress into 5th 4 out, moderate 3rd and no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 22l behind My Lucky Rose at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs gs in Mar.
Alvaro (IRE) 5-1 Jumped left and mistakes, led 2nd to 3rd, led 7th to 10th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Tanterari at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Muscadier (IRE) 7-1 Mid-division, headway and in touch 12th, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 11, 36l behind Jacksonville at Hexham 3m 1f amt hcp chs (G) gs.
Southerndown (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, behind from 9th, 10th of 17, 35l behind Jordans Lad at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf.
Copper Shell 8-1 Close up, led 14th to next, stayed in touch until weakened rapidly before 2 out, 7th of 12, 40l behind Gee Aker Malayo at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gs in Feb.
Solve It Sober (IRE) 7-1 Always prominent, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 4th of 14, 21l behind Ravenscar at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (F) gf.
Bounce Again (FR) 3-1 Tracked leader, reminders 2nd, led briefly and hit 4th, lost place 10th, well behind when pulled up after 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Kappelhoff at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
