held up, ridden and weakened soon after 4 out, pulled up next
chased leader, led 4 out, made rest, comfortable
mid-division, headway to chase winner soon after 4 out, ridden next, weakened and hit 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
close up, jumped slow 5th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up next
raced keenly, led and soon clear, headed 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out, pulled up next
in touch, ridden 4 out, kept on to take moderate 2nd toward finish
Nordwind gets the vote in this trappy opener with Nom de Guerre and Lamy Jack rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair sort on the flat is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and with his yard in form and under conditions that should suit he looks the one to be on. Nom de Guerre rates the main danger on his latest second behind Mount Oscar. However, he was doing all his best work at the finish on that occasion so the drop in trip has to be a concern. Lamy Jack won a chase in his native France when last seen and with his yard liking a tilt at the ring he should be watched in the market. Tisfreetdream is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type, while Porta Vogie is a point to point winner and is another to note in the market but Norwind gets our vote today.
Lamy Jack (FR) 10-1 (10-12) won at Pau 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Feb beating Oraldo (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, one pace, 2nd of 18, 9l behind Mount Oscar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Nordwind (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden when rider dropped rein briefly well over 1f out, soon beaten, edged left, 7th of 10, 17l behind Aphorism (8-12) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct (Flat).
Porta Vogie (IRE) (11-6) won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Apollo Creed (11-6) by a , 17 ran.
Riccardo (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, never near leaders, 7th of 18, 31l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Sure Flame (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, short lived effort on outside 3f out, 7th of 8, 19l behind Le Beau Bai (10-8) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed when not fluent last, one pace, 4th of 18, 5l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.