tracked winner, slow 3rd/4th, ridden 3 out, weakened before last, lost 3rd flat
close up in rear, reminders 10th, pushed along 15th, ridden 19th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 3rd flat
close up in rear, headway 9th, prominent when taken wide 19th, slow 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, hit and fell 17th
made all, ridden before last, driven flat, all out
close up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, driven and stayed on to press winner towards finish
Finaghy Ayr was only beaten a short-head at Ayr after making a winning reappearance at Carlisle and must go close if handling a further step up in distance. Jonny Eager was favourite for that Ayr race, in which Sevenballs Of Fire fell, but weakened quickly in the straight and was pulled up having beaten Settledoutofcourt at the Scottish track earlier. We’ll take a chance on WOODFORD COUNTY (NAP), who has travelled a long way for this. He’s a bit of a character but had decent form over staying trips last season and was third in the 2015 Eider and Midlands Grand National off a 12lb higher mark.
Jonny Eager (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Led, ridden and headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Sevenballs Of Fire (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) In touch, weakened before 3 out, fell 3 out, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Woodford County 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went badly right bumped 2nd and saddle slipped, weakened on long run after 13th, 10th of 14, dist behind Kingswell Theatre (11-9) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Finaghy Ayr (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) In rear, headway before 15th, led before 4 out, headed last 50 yards, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Kilbree Chief (11-12) at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Settledoutofcourt (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch main group, chased clear leader (winner) from 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, always well held, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Ballythomas (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Lakefield Rebel (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Raced wide, held up in last pair, mistake 7th, pushed along and struggling after 11th, no chance when blundered badly 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 15l behind Black Narcissus (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
