tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 9th, kept on for 2nd, no further impression on winner from next
mid-division until 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led until 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 7th, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until 7th, soon well behind
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden in 3rd approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
behind, struggling 6th, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
chased leaders until 6th, soon behind
mid-division until weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 6th, drew clear approaching 3 out, easily
mid-division, driven along from 6th, went 4th approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, snatched 3rd near finish
A tough race for punters and HAAR can take this contest at the expense of Might As Well and Honour High. The selection does not win too often but he has shaped as if a step up in trip might work the oracle and on ground where he has shown form, we are prepared to take a chance. Might As Well would probably still have won last time out had the leader at the time stayed on his feet. He is progressive. Honour High has plenty of weight to carry but consistency is his strong suit. Bugsy's Boy has been a credit to rookie trainer George Baker and is a player if capable of acting on the prevailing ground. Shannon Springs won a maiden hurdle on good going and is set to be partnered by the in-form Edward Cookson. Raslan is tried at a much more realistic level having been outclassed at the Cheltenham festival. Billyvodan has lost his way over chase fences and attempts to get back to winning ways off a favourable hurdles mark. Dr Hart would make more appeal if the trainer's form had not been so modest. Macmar is a course and distance winner and appears best of the rest. Haar can gain reward for a number of creditable performances this term.
Raslan 50-1 (10-11) Prominent, hanging left and weakened before last, 10th of 22, 20l behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Honour High 11-2 (11-12) Chased leader to 3rd, remained handy, reminded 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Heathcliff (10-5) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Swordsman (GER) 66-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again flat, 4th of 11, 5l behind Sashenka (10-1) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Bugsy's Boy 10-11fav (11-7) Held up in last pair, steady headway into 5th before 9th, tracked leader, travelling well before 3 out, challenged 2 out, shaken up between last 2, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Urban Warrior (11-2) by 9l, 7 ran.
Arctic Echo 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on same pace and next, 4th of 14, 14l behind Risk Runner (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up and mid-division, good headway to track leader 4 out, narrow lead 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Sashenka (10-1) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Haar 6-1 (11-12) Held up, hit 1st and 4th, headway approaching 5th, ridden and pressing winner before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Mizen Raven (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 12th (Canal Turn), in a race won by Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Dr Hart (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader to 16th, weakening and blundered 18th, tailed off, 6th of 14, well behind Russian Trigger (11-11) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Might As Well 12-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden and headway 8th, led 3 out, left clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Sawpit Solitaire (11-2) by 23l, 14 ran.
Macmar (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven 3rd, tracked leader from 7th, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Heir To Be (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Businessmoney Jake 18-1 (11-10) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Quattrocento (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
