mid-division, headway 2 out, effort approaching last, no extra flat
held up in rear, struggling 6th, outpaced 3 out
towards rear, weakened halfway
chased leaders, ridden between last 2, weakened approaching last
mid-division, pushed along halfway, outpaced after 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd flat
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed last, no extra
prominent, led last, ran on well
led to 4th, remained prominent until ridden and weakened between last 2
towards rear, never dangerous
Nonrunner
We will take a chance here on the course and distance winner CASH MAN who is taken to get the better of Flake and Percussionist. The selection was an impressive winner last time at Carlisle when he beat Sotovik and that could be the catalyst for him to go and score again now that he is back in handicap company. He was given a more positive ride last time and those tactics can work the oracle again here. Flake wasn't beaten far behind Prince Taime at Haydock last time and that form was given a boost at Aintree on Thursday when Prince Taime chased home Sunnyhillboy. Percussionist shaped with a bit more encouragement at Newcastle last time and as he was doing his best work at the finish, there is every reason to expect that this longer trip will suit. Mini Minster has got course and distance form and he could go well at a price, but in a tight contest we will nominate Cash Man to land the prize.
Evelith Echo 20-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 25l behind L'Eau Du Nil (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Mirjan (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 12, 13l behind Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Corkage (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, weakening when not fluent 7th, tailed off, 17th of 19, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Political Paddy 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leader 2nd, led before 4 out, not fluent and headed next, soon ridden, led again when hit last, held on under pressure flat, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb beating Ernst Blofeld (11-5) by hd, 5 ran.
The Shy Man (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up, mistake 4 out, stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 27l behind Dream Falcon (9-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Flake 7-2 (9-12) Led, headed 3 out, driven and kept on gamely from last, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Prince Taime (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Percussionist (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 17, 1l behind Viscount Rossini (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Cash Man (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 9th, hit 2 out, driven out from last, won at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chase (4) gs in Mar beating Sotovik (10-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Mini Minster 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, kept on until ridden and one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Nevsky Bridge (10-12) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Nevertika (FR) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 14, 16l behind Oscardeal (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 5th of 14, 15l behind Lie Forrit (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
