tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and hung left from 3 out, headed soon after last, not pace of winner
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
prominent, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, mistake next
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 3 out
led 2nd until 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division until 6th, behind when hit next, stayed on again from 2 out
keen in mid-division, headway after 7th, led flat, ran on, ridden out
held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, not pace of leading pair
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
keen tracking leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
keen early, always towards rear
Ghallab is the hopeful selection in this modest contest with Jomelamin and He's The Gaffer two of the more obvious dangers. The selection is selected in the hope that he has been hiding his light under a bushel. He failed to make the frame in four starts on the level for Ed Dunlop and has yet to trouble the judge over obstacles either but there are positives to be gleaned from his first two attempts which saw him fill fourth place in races won by useful sorts. True, he was awful last time but he may have found the race coming too quickly following his penultimate start. Jomelamin stayed on for pressure over an extended two miles at Hereford on her first run for this yard. This stiffer track and longer trip look sure to suit on that evidence whilst her talented young jockey is good value for his claim. Bob Buckler has enjoyed a decent run since the turn of the year and it would be no surprise to see He's The Gaffer show up well on his return to action. He has yet to win over hurdles though and has been held from similar marks in the past so we'll give the nod to Ghallab.
Cornish Jester 8-1 (10-11) Led 1st, not fluent and headed 4th, chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and held when not fluent last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Nothing Is Forever (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Ghallab 9-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakend approaching 2 out, 11th of 16, well behind Cornas (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Mustamad 80-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Inghwung (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Red Echo (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Oakley Absolute 20-1 (11-7) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Atacama Star (11-1) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent in chasing group, mistake 7th, mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Pochard (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl (5) gs.
Jomelamin 40-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, headway approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 14, 12l behind Cove Mountain (9-9) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (4) gd.
Lilac Wine 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 27l behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Digger Boy 16-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 41l behind Ede's (10-8) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Come On Jim (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Benedict Bay (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
My Beautaful 50-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Dusty Dane (11-6) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
