held up, headway after 8th, challenged 3 out until 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and held when fluent 2 out, pulled up before last
led, not fluent 4th, ridden after 9th, headed after 3 out, soon one pace
held up, blundered 6th, headway 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out
tracked leader, mistake 4th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
always towards rear, lost touch approaching 7th, pulled up before 8th
held up, struggling when mistakes 8th and 9th, soon tailed off
pulled hard, tracked leaders, led after 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, ridden out
GENTLE RANGER is the selection with Vodka Brook and Bushwhacker as the dangers. David Pipe's charge chased home the useful Temoin last time out and while he ran no sort of race on a similar surface last year, there were excuses. Vodka Brook is a classy individual. He is unproven on the ground and that is a sufficient excuse for us to oppose this decent traveller. Bushwhacker is very interesting. His hurdling form suggests he might have a bit to do but his bumper form was top class. Knight In The City was a cheap purchase at the sales and was well held on debut. The ground should not be a problem for Arctic Flow though she did not really impress in two bumpers. The remainder appear moderate on all known racecourse evidence. Gentle Ranger secures our nomination.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Summery Justice (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Bushwacker (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, prominent, ridden when mistake 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 15, 12l behind Pickamus (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Gentle Ranger (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, chased leader, led 12th, strongly pressed from 3 out, kept on flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Temoin (11-0) at Lingfield 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Mar.
Knight In The City (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 12f out, headed and weakened 4f out, 8th of 13, 38l behind King Red (10-12) at Chepstow 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, jumped left 1st, chased winner 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 17l behind Lightning Strike (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Rock Captain (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch, lost touch 5th, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Quickbeam (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Arctic Flow 40-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 18th of 20, well behind Lady Vera (11-1) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Mar.
Tarabela 150-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 7th, 8th of 11, well behind Phoudamour (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Thedeboftheyear 150-1 (10-5) Mid-division, closer order 5th, plugged on, 5th of 15, 12l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Russian Orphan 150-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, in a race won by Tocca Ferro (10-7) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (5) sft in Mar, 15 ran.
