held up in touch, ridden and no impression from 2 out
disputed lead, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, one pace and 3rd when fell last
disputed lead to 4 out, one pace in 4th when fell 3 out
held up, blundered 7th, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, stayed on from last
held up in rear, blundered badly 9th, headway approaching last, led flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed flat, no extra
held up, mistake 2nd, one pace when hampered 3 out, kept on, no impression from next
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 2 out, soon weakened
NAIAD DU MISSELOT made a very satisfactory return to action at Haydock on his last start and the Coral Cup winner can score for the first time over fences. Palomar who proved himself a very progressive handicapper last season looks his biggest danger despite the concern that this ground might just be on the easy side for him. Considering that many of Ferdy Murphy's charges do benefit for their seasonal debut, his Haydock effort is all the more creditable. The trip is the worry but with a certain emphasis on stamina in these conditions, it is hoped that his class will see him through. Palomar's progressed through the handicap ranks last season until the handicapper got to grips with him. Quicuyo will relish the conditions on offer here but will need to step up on his recent form to figure. The Shy Man qualifies for a handicap mark on the back of this and that is where he will be more competitive. Naiad Du Misselot is selected to break his maiden tag over fences.
Bob's Dream (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-1) Mid-division, hit 4th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, 35l behind John Forbes (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Lord Samposin 20-1 (11-9) Prominent, weakened from 11th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 12 ran.
More Shennanigans 25-1 (9-11) Soon led, headed 4 out, mistake next, soon driven and weakened, 4th of 8, 15l behind Cooldine Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Naiad du Misselot (FR) 6-1 (11-2) In rear, blundered 4th, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 4 out, led last, headed flat, stayed on towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Rightway Star (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Palomar (USA) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, mistake 5th, jumped slowly next, mistake 3 out, not clear run and switched left approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 10th of 21, 14l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Quicuyo (GER) 17-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon driven and weakened, 7th of 11, 22l behind Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy.
The Shy Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders and fell at the 2nd in race won by Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Verstone (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Keen early, soon in touch, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by River Logic (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Mar, 8 ran.
Watch The Wind 9-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened from 7th, last of 10, well behind Lerida (9-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct.
