towards rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden after last, no impression
with leader, pushed along 3 out, every chance before last, soon weakened
held up mid-division and keen, ridden last, stayed on well, nearest at finish
in rear, effort before last, never dangerous
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, one pace from last, weakened final 100 yards
held up mid-division and keen on outer, headway before 2 out, one pace run-in
led, pressed 3 out, headed after last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led after last, kept on well
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, challenged 3 out, one pace from last
EUROPEAN DREAM has been tumbling down the weights and has form at a much higher level, including when fifth at Wetherby in November. If anywhere near his best, Richard Guest's nine-year-old will be hard to beat. Carters Rest looks the pick of Iain Jardine's pair ahead of Nelson Du Ronceray while Tutchec looks a progressive sort and has more scope than Suprise Vendor and Loch Dhu. Beaumont's Party was a decent sort on the Flat and could be well handicapped but has been struggling to get home over hurdles and this is quite a stiff track.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, outpaced in 5th when hit next, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 20l behind The Thirsty Bricky (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Suprise Vendor (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, reminders before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Nowurhurlin (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Red Merlin (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Loch Dhu (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace, lost modest 3rd post, 4th of 11, 10l behind Prima Porta (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Beaumont's Party (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch in 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 25l behind Agent Archie (11-9) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Carters Rest 7-4fav (11-9) Led, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Stanley Bridge (10-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Tutchec (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 13l behind Lexi's Boy (10-7) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Parson's Punch 7-4fav (10-10) Raced keenly, held up in rear, switched outside and headway when hampered 2 out, ridden and weakened on long run between last 2, pulled up before last, in a race won by Storm Breaker (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Talk of Saafend (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, mistake 1st, tailed off from 4th, 8th of 11, 43l behind Zefooha (11-7) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
