chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, led 3 out, drew clear flat
close up, led 2nd, headed 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed next, one pace from 2 out
led to 2nd, weakened quickly after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, effort after 2 out, no extra flat
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled uf before next
mid-division, headway 4 out to chase leaders, effort approaching 3 out, one pace next
mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 4 out, one pace next
towards rear, struggling 6th
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, struggling from halfway
in touch, headway 4 out, challenged next, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened next
blundered and unseated rider 1st
Plenty of runners with chances here and we side with Miss Pross to see off Loulou Nivernais and Sabreflight. As an inmate of the Walford stable, Miss Pross is likely to start off a few points bigger than her form entitles, but she has ability and did not disappoint when well punted for a Sedgefield contest a couple of weeks ago. Loulou Nivernais has been a real moneyspinner for connections and was particularly prevalent in January over chase fences. With the handicapper catching up with him over those obstacles, an attempt to repeat the dose over hurdles is made. Sabreflight has been disappointing this season but is one that the handicapper has given some respite. A switch to this faster surface could work the oracle. Mister Mustard and Tom Fruit have shown ability in the past but have become disappointing. Baikal makes a British debut for Jonjo O'Neill while Divex is watched closely from the Micky Hammond stable. Le Royal has won previously over course-and-distance and cannot be discounted. Lord On The Run is persisted with in cheekpieces whilst Return Ticket should be plugging on late. Having considered the opposition, Miss Pross is the recommendation.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) In touch, headway 4th, weakened quickly next and pulled up 3 out in race won by Flaming Weapon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 11-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hit 10th, weakened next, 5th of 6, well behind Maljimar (10-13) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Sula's Legend 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway on outside approaching 7th, ridden, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 13l behind National Trust (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Terre de Java (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Held up, raced wide and headway after 5th, jumped slowly 7th, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 21l behind Misty Dancer (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Magical Quest 5-1co-fav (11-0) Towards rear, some headway approaching 8th, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Silencio (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kitski (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Old Feathers (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Led to 5th, lost place 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lankawi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Miss Pross 2-1fav (11-6) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden after next, led last, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Square Dealer (10-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Sabreflight 17-2 (9-13) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 43l behind Clouding Over (9-7) at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Colophony (USA) 11-2 (11-3) In touch, hit 4th, weakened after 7th, 6th of 14, 24l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Le Royal (FR) 17-2 (10-11) Led to 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Gidam Gidam (12-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Return Ticket 9-2 (10-8) Towards rear, hit 3rd, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Endless Power (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Jahash 25-1 (11-7) In touch, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 10l behind Stars Delight (11-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Baikal 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th approaching 3 out, soon no extra under pressure, 13th of 15, 40l behind Killeroran Kash (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-109 sft in Oct.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up, in touch when fell at the 11th in race won by Undeniable (10-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Divex (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, challenged when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Ring The Boss (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Lord On The Run (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Pee Jay's Dream (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Tom Fruit 7-2 (10-6) Held up, headway 10th, chased winner 4 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Loulou Nivernais (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
