mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after 3 out, jumped left last
prominent, led approaching 3rd, clear 2 out, unchallenged
always towards rear, tailed off when mistake last, virtually pulled up flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, held up, some headway 4th, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 2nd until before 3rd, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 3rd, hit 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, stayed on from after 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 4th, hit 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway 4th, weakened after 3 out
ridden 3rd, always behind, tailed off
led until approaching 2nd, ridden and weakened before 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
Bureaucrat got his act together last time and should be capable of landing another prize here, Josear and Astronomical appear to be the main rivals. The Phillip Hobbs trained gelding was always travelling sweetly when comfortably beating Backbord at Newbury. He was still on the bridle between the last two and just had to be pushed out to score. The idea is to send this one to Aintree and so to warrant that journey he must oblige here. Josear is a model of consistency and again ran well in a handicap last time. He is only rated 113 and that shouldn't be good enough to beat the selection but he should be in the places. Astronomical was highly tried last time in the Victor Ludorom and was comfortably beaten. On this better ground and lesser company he should make his presence felt. Cetshwayo and Kova Hall are a couple of these that are open to improvement, but Bureaucrat has already proved his ability and is a confident choice.
Astronomical (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching next, last of 5, well behind Overlut (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Bureaucrat 3-1 (10-12) Jumped left, made virtually all, clear between last 2, kept on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Backbord (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Josear 4-1 (10-12) Led, hit 6th, ridden before 3 out, headed soon after, 3rd and no impression from next, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Misbehaviour (10-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Cetshwayo 40-1 (10-12) Held up and mistakes, tailed off from 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Shamayoun (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Cloonavery (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 30l behind Le Corvee (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Doughty 400-1 (10-4) In rear, mistake 2nd, hampered 4th, soon tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs, 14 ran.
Ellerslie Tom 18-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 28l behind Afsoun (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden when stumbled after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kayceecee (11-2) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Kova Hall (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Opera Villevert (FR) 66-1 (10-7) In touch until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Blazing Bailey (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Raffish 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 17, 27l behind Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Anemix (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ausone 50-1 (10-2) Never on terms, 11th of 18, 42l behind Tessanoora (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Beaumont Girl (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling from 5th, 7th of 14, 38l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Hannah's Tribe (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Patman Du Charmil (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
