mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed and not quicken towards finish
held up and pulled hard, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, every chance approaching 3 out, switched right and weakened 2 out
keen, settled mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
prominent and keen, hit 3rd, ridden after 6th, hit 2 out, ran on to lead towards finish
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off when reluctant 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
Charming Fellow has proved to be expensive to follow in the past and gave little cause for optimism on his return last month so preference is for Menchikov, who gets the vote ahead of Manque Pas D'Air. The last mentioned showed promise when last seen and should win races this term but may just need the run on reappearance so is probably best watched. Alright Now M'Lad has not raced since March and is probably better than he has shown so far but is another likely to strip fitter for the run, while a market move for the reappearing One of The Boys would be of interest. Sandmartin should improve for his first outing of the season and is another to consider but preference is for Nicky Henderson's Menchikov who also lacks a run this term but hails from a stable in fine form at present so it would come as no surprise to see him open his hurdling account at the first time of asking.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and weakened well over 3 out, 4th of 6, 23l behind Valley Ride (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Billyandi (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led until 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 11, 31l behind Boychuk (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Charming Fellow (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent 11f, soon beaten, 12th of 16, well behind Off Spin (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Apr.
Menchikov (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on, 4th of 21, 8l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
One of The Boys (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Calusa Charlie (11-4) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Sandmartin (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 32l behind Good Samaritan (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Oct.
Manque Pas D'Air (FR) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Be Wise Girl (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar.
