mid-division, hit 4th, mistake 10th, headway next, lost place 15th, plugged on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, chased winner from 10th, ridden, no chance with winner from 15th, lost 2nd approaching last
held up, headway 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 8th, struggling 11th, tailed off, pulled up before 15th
led until 3rd, chased leaders, lost place after 11th, behind, pulled up before 2 out
behind most of way
in touch, took closer order 7th, ridden after 15th, one pace from next
hit 10th, always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 14th
led 3rd, made rest, clear 14th, unchallenged
This should concern Back Nine and Whitenzo, with the former just given the vote, Mighty Montefalco looks the best of the others. Back Nine comfortably got the better of Whitenzo when they met in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown last month. He was always going nicely and pulled away for a ready success. The Paul Nicholls trained runner-up is over a stone better off and should get a lot closer, but he will struggle to reverse the form. Mighty Montefalco is a prolific point to point winner but hasn't raced under rules for almost two years. If handling the regulation fences he should be in the shake up. The pick of the others could be Royal Scandal, but Back Nine was so impressive last time he has to be followed again.
Back Nine (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Close up, went 2nd 8th, upsides 3 out, led soon after, soon in command, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Feb beating Whitenzo (12-10) by 21l, 7 ran.
Royal Scandal 5-2jt-fav (12-7) Prom; led 14-2 out; sn wknd, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Stone Valley (12-0) at Charlton Horetho 3m ptp gd.
Trade Off (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Went prom 7; ev ch 13; sn outpcd; stayed on flat; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 10, 20l behind Alvino (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd.
Dun Locha Castle (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led to 11; wknd 15, 9th of 20, 20l behind Two Hoots (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd.
Handyman (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Hdwy 10; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Sailors Folly (12-0) at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Mighty Montefalco 11-4fav (11-0) Held up; went 2nd 3 out; stayed on to ld nr fin, won at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Bally Blue (11-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mister Club Royal 10-3 (12-0) Led 8-14; outpcd when lft wl clr app last, won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd beating Shobrooke Mill (12-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Ross Go Lad (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Nvr on terms, 6th of 11, 13l behind Alambique (12-0) at Wadebridge 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Whitenzo (FR) 15-8 (12-10) Led 2nd, strongly pressed 3 out, soon headed and no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 21l behind Back Nine (11-7) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Feb.
