in touch, effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish
mid-division, weakened 3 out
towards rear, weakened from 5th
chased leaders to 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
always behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, weakened from 5th
always towards rear
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
Not too much strength in depth and Young Albert is narrowly awarded the vote ahead of Nelson Du Ronceray and Smart Street. Nicky Richards' inmate was a finger burner to those who took the 2/7 last time out but he probably was unfortunate to run into a decent opponent and if he can be restrained in the early stages, he might be worth another chance in a race that lacks strength in depth. Nelson Du Ronceray is in rude health with back-to-back successes. Those efforts were recorded on genuinely soft going so it remains to be seen as to whether the form will transfer. Front-running Smart Street took on a hot assignment at Cheltenham in December and is making a return to the track. Springvic has bits and pieces of Irish form that would entitle him to consideration. Dundock brings placed bumper form into the equation whilst Jim The Gent, who won two such races on a genuine good-to-firm surface, is watched in the market. Trafalgar Man ran a career best at Wetherby and could be worth a look from an each-way perspective. Young Albert still appears potential to improvement and is afforded the nomination.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 5-4fav (11-9) In touch, smooth headway to lead after 5th, ridden 3 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Soubriquet (10-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Smart Street 40-1 (11-8) Led early, remained prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 13, 33l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Springvic (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, well behind Naiad du Misselot (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Young Albert (IRE) 2-7fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 2 out, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Cedrus Libani (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Buckstruther (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leader, weakened over 5f out, 6th of 8, well behind Quws Law (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Dundock 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out to challenge winner and kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Panthera Leo (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Hello Noddy 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong, 6th of 9, 21l behind King Daniel (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gd.
Jim The Gent (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway halfway, led over 3f out, soon ridden and kept on well, won at Perth 2m nhf (6) gf in Jul beating Spivitus (10-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
Smart Ambition 33-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind Tazbar (10-6) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Steel Man (IRE) Anshan gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Bemo Two.
Trafalgar Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden approachinhg 2 out, staying on when blundered last, one pace, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Folk Tune (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Nortelco (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened 5th, badly hampered next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Turbo Shandy 150-1 (10-12) Always behind, 9th of 16, 30l behind River Logic (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Lake Gunner 66-1 (10-10) Always well behind, 11th of 15, well behind Folk Tune (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
More Equity 80-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 11, 45l behind Berwick Law (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Well Disguised (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) In touch, headway to challenge over 3f out, ridden and every chance, no extra final furlong, 4th of 15, 5l behind Flora May (10-6) at Newcastle 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.
