chased winner until ridden before last, one pace
towards rear and in touch, pushed along and headway before 2 out, ridden before last, soon chased winner, kept on and held towards finish
made all, ridden before last, kept on
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
in rear and in touch, headway before 2 out, ridden before last kept on run-in
tracked leaders, weakened before last
There may only be six runners in this but all have some sort of chance, though neither Ourmanmassini nor City Supreme have managed to win so far over hurdles. Aviator probably hasn't been done any favours by the handicapper but is the least exposed. Watt Broderick is still 11lb higher than when scoring at Wetherby last year and was a bit disappointing at that track last time. BENBECULA was behind Ourmanmassini over track and trip two runs ago and is worse off at the weights. But he produced a better effort next time at Wincanton so gets a narrow vote today ahead of Kempton runner-up Kuda Huraa, who isn't easy to predict but does have form at a higher level and wouldn't be far away if in the mood.
Aviator (GER) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, hampered 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Laurium (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Kuda Huraa (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up in rear but in touch, headway approaching when blundered 2 out, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Poker School (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Benbecula 3-1fav (11-9) Led until not fluent 2nd, prominent, led again 3 out, 4 lengths clear before 2 out, edged left last, headed and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind After Eight Sivola (11-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Ourmanmassini (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leading pair between last 2, one pace when not fluent last, 4th and held when hung right flat, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Very Noble (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Watt Broderick (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 3 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 5th of 10, 6l behind Rock A Doodle Doo (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
City Supreme (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance next, about 1 1/2 lengths down when blundered badly and rider lost iron last, well held after, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Murrayana (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
