went left hampered as tape rose and lost ground, keen in last trio, hit 6th, headway on inside chasing leaders 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on into 2nd run-in, never going pace to challenge
went slightly left as tapes rose, tracked leader, left in lead on paddock bend, made rest, went right 3 out, stayed on well
raced wide in last trio, ridden and struggling after 3 out, never a factor, tailed off
swerved badly left as tapes rose and lost many lengths, recovered tracking leaders 2nd, left in 2nd place on paddock bend, hit 5th, pushed along between last 2, no impression, weakened run-in
led until hung badly right and headed on paddock bend, dropped to 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced at the last, kept on run-in, just missed 2nd
DRAKES WELL is already an eight-year-old but seconds here and at Southwell this year suggest he should have the upper hand in a modest opener. Wireless Operator was still beaten 26 lengths when third at Southwell on his first run for Olly Murphy but he should strip fitter here. Bembridge hasn’t shown a lot in two runs over hurdles so far and none of the others make any appeal.
Bembridge (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up, weakened 3 out, 11th of 18, dist behind Patroclus (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Big 'n Better 300-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, behind 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, 35l behind Sonny Crockett (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Castledhem (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken when switched right over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Drakes Well (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led after 1st, headed after 2 out, held last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Docpickedme (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Wireless Operator (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, stumbled 3 out, well held 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Rockstar Ronnie (11-7) at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Mr Yeats (IRE) 300-1 (10-7) Slightly worse than mid-division, at rear of main group before 4 out, ridden but never able to get competitive, 7th of 12, 36 3/4l behind Grandads Cottage (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
