tracked leader, weakened between last 2
held up, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on from last
tracked leader, led when hit 3 out, ran on well from last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, kept on from last
held up, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch, good headway on outer approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no impression
mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3 out, soon weakened
A disappointing turnout but we like the claims of numbers but ACAMBO is our selection with Stellino and Izita Star likely to have their supporters. The selection was thought of at one stage as being a likely champion hurdler but failed to capitalise on earlier promise. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds since his last appearance at Cheltenham and back to a fast ground two miles, he makes plenty of appeal. Stellino finished eighth in the Imperial Cup. He has faced some tough assignments in the past and it remains to be seen as to whether he will improve for this surface. Izita Star is in winning form. That said, the mare posted a very slow time figure so needs to have improved again to trouble this better grade of opposition. Leicester winner, Norman The Great, represents a yard in form. As a son of Turtle Island, Clova Island is not sure to be suited by today's surface. Good Spirit was a useful chaser for Paul Nicholls and is now in the care of Jennie Candlish. Elaala has won at lesser grade on a fast surface and could be one for the each-way supporters. Acambo looks best.
Acambo (GER) 66-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 22nd of 23, well behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Stellino (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, hit 3rd, some headway approaching 2 out, 8th of 19, 26l behind Dave's Dream (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Mar.
Norman The Great 7-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by L'Eau Du Nil (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Clova Island 11-4fav (11-3) Chased leader, narrow lead after 5th, half a length ahead and travelling well when fell last, in a race won by Indian Blood (10-6) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb, 10 ran.
Izita Star 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led approaching and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, edged left, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Bella Haze (11-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Good Spirit (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, driven after 3 out, soon beaten and hit next, tailed off, broke blood vessel, 7th of 8, well behind Secret Tune (10-8) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, chased leader next, challenged from 2 out, hit last, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Fredo (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Well Disguised (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division, steady headway after 4 out, led next, clear last, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Burnt Oak (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Elaala (USA) 22-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon behind, 8th of 9, 39l behind Spanish Conquest (9-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Led to 1st, remained prominent, weakened well before 3 out, fell last, in a race won by First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
