pulled hard, held up in 5th, headway tracking leaders and still pulling approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened soon after
held up tracking leaders on inside, pushed along before 2 out, weakened 2 out
raced wide tracking winner, stumbled and lost 2nd at 3rd, went 2nd again before 4 out where went left, pushed along and weakened quickly after next, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
jumped well, made all, driven along between last two, briefly pressed run-in, found extra and in command final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 3rd until before 4 out, went 2nd again home turn until ridden after 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd, hit the last
waited with in rear, good headway tracking leaders approaching 2 out, close 2nd after 2 out, hung right approaching the last, pressed winner briefly run-in, found no extra and held final 100 yards
held up in last pair, pushed along and weakened turning in, no chance when went left and hit last
The return to a sharper track should suit the mare Mullenbeg but she may find this company too hot. The latter comment also applies to Kayf Legend while Ukantango was pulled up last time in the Tolworth at Sandown, though had finished second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham earlier. Rubaud got lit up and never settled in the Betfair Hurdle so it was no surprise when he ran out of steam in the closing stages. An earlier second here reads well but he’s closely matched with the improving Hansard on collateral form. Postmark had only three rivals at Newbury but is very unexposed and capable of better, as is Huntingdon maiden winner IMPERIAL BEDE. The latter looks to have a decent turn of foot which is always an asset around here.
Hansard (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, shaken up to lead before 2 out, soon ridden and faced challenge, kept on well flat, gamely, won at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Master Chewy (11-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Imperial Bede (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead next, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Arqoob (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Kayf Legend 4-1 (11-5) Prominent, challenged 3rd, led next, headed 2 out, led again flat, stayed on, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Feb beating Kansas Du Berlais (10-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Rubaud (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders early on inside, pushed along in mid-division, home turn, headway chasing leaders again approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 16, 26 1/4l behind Aucunrisque (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Ukantango (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Wore hood to post, tracked leader until 4th, chased leaders, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Mullenbeg (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 2 out (usual 3 out), headway before next (usual 2 out), soon pushed along, made no impression approaching bypassed last, 6th of 9, 13l behind Punctuation (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Postmark 11-8fav (10-10) Close 3rd, hit 2nd, not fluent next, went 2nd before hit 2 out, led between last two, pushed readily clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m mdn (4) gf in Feb beating Up For Appeal (11-8) by 5 1/2l, 4 ran.
