mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, pushed out
held up, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat
raced keen, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, outpaced after 3 out
mid-division, effort under pressure 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, weakened 3 out, behind when hampered by loose horse, refused last
in touch until outpaced after 3 out
mistake, unseated rider 2nd
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
Poker De Sivola is the preference in this affair with Dancers Serenade and Heez A Steel looking the most likely for the places. Ferdy Murphy's team are in great nick at the moment and they look to have found an ideal opportunity for Poker De Sivola. He was not disgraced in a hot race at Ascot on his latest start and while the ground is of slight concern, his class should see him through against inferior opposition. Dancers Serenade was a useful sort on the level and has maintained his progression over hurdles with two soft ground successes. The official figures suggest he has a bit to do to overturn our selection. Heez A Steel has plenty of experience and tends to run his better races at the track. Any money should be noted. Rifleman is a rogue of the highest order and has made fools of many punters and trainers in the past. The market suggested that Ross's Roses was not expected to do too much behind Turbo Linn at Carlisle so it will be interesting to see how she fares on hurdling debut. Banded stakes performer, Sadlers Cove searches for that elusive first win over hurdles and may be found wanting again. Poker De Sivola is well clear on official figures and we seek not to oppose.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, losing place when not fluent 6th, soon ridden, stayed on, 4th of 15, 9l behind Altilhar (11-10) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 10th, weakened before last, 4th of 15, 31l behind Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 40l behind Carlitos (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Imlaak 7-1 (10-3) Held up and keen, headway 3 out, 8 lengths down in 4th when fell 2 out in race won by Nebraska City (9-13) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Lightening Flight 100-1 (10-13) Always behind, struggling halfway, last of 8, well behind Quws Law (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Rifleman (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced 11th, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 40l behind Pams Oak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Sadler's Cove (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 5th of 18, 31l behind Something Silver (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Ross's Roses (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 35l behind Turbo Linn (10-9) at Catterick 2m mrs nhf (5) sft in Mar.