held up in rear, keen, ridden 3 out, no impression
tracked leader, keen, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, mistake last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led before next, ran on well
chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, never on terms
led, hard driven when headed approaching 3 out, rallied next, mistake last, kept on well under pressure
held up in touch, headway to join leader 5th, weakened before 2 out
always in rear, struggling 4 out, soon beaten
Sir Note has suffered just the one defeat so far over fences and he’s only been raised 3lb since last month’s course and distance victory. Max Ward is consistent and Mercian Prince is holding his form well, despite climbing the weights. Paul Nicholls won this two years ago and will be hoping for a big run from Doncaster fifth Romain De Senam upped in distance but Ballybolley is in danger of becoming disappointing. MONBEG GOLD ran More Buck’s to half-a-length over this trip on his chasing bow and two subsequent runs have been over further. He has a chance on these terms if those races haven’t dampened his initial enthusiasm.
Romain De Senam (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Upsilon Bleu (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, challenged 11th, led 4 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 5l behind Crosspark (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Max Ward (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, in touch 7th, a little awkward 3 out, shaken up and not quicken, rallied flat, went 2nd but no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Theatre Flame (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ballybolley (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, led briefly 6th, led again 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Gold Opera (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Sir Note (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led but pressed by rival and clear of rest, narrowly headed appoaching 10th, in front again next, joined when blundered 3 out, ridden and pressed when left clear last, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Full Shift (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Long Lunch 22-1 (10-6) In rear, weakened before 4 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Ziga Boy (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Monbeg Gold (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Handily placed, ridden 4 out, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Brandon Hill (11-9) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
