NORDIC COMBINED took advantage of heavy going to land a Taunton handicap in March so today's conditions can enable him to get back on the winning trail. Aintree My Dream has been chasing since the beginning of the year but has won three times over hurdles including on heavy going. Electron Bleu gained his only victory to date over fences in France but performed well in two starts over hurdles earlier this year while Samson's Reach arrives in good form though his recent second at Newton Abbot was in slightly lower grade.
Tap Tap Boom 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 5th, pressed 2 out, pushed along before last where headed, kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Adicci (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Close up, not fluent 2nd and 4th, raced on and off the bridle, ridden along 2 out, no extra closing stages, 5th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Mister Coffey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Held up towards rear, last 7th, headway 2 out, never on terms with leaders, 5th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Fanzio (11-4) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Electron Bleu (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway before 6th, challenged 2 out, carried left last, led briefly, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Exod'ela (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Chambard (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Close up, led narrowly 4th, hit 8th and headed, pushed along and lost ground 11th, in rear 12th and quickly tailed off, pulled up before 4 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Tree Of Liberty (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost ground and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Samson's Reach 13-2 (10-11) Midfield, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, pressed winner approaching last, kept on well flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mille Sussurri (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
