always prominent, went 2nd 5th (water), led 11th, pressed from 18th, hung right and headed flat, no extra
with leader, led 4th to 11th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, closed 9th, strong challenge from after 18th, still every chance last, one pace flat
led to 4th, remained prominent, went 2nd approaching 15th until after 18th, edged right and beaten approaching 2 out
well in rear, well behind 16th, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer
held up well in rear, reminders and headway approaching 18th, stayed on to lead flat, driven out
held up, closed 9th, not fluent 11th, ridden and weakening when hit 18th, tailed off
Colorado Pearl put a couple of disappointing efforts behind her when running out a comfortable winner of a race at Wincanton last week and the Paul Nicholls-trained mare is taken to defy her 7lb penalty for that success, getting the verdict ahead of William Butler and Bubble Boy. The last mentioned represents the in form yard of Brendan Powell so has to be respected but does need to improve on the form shown in his last couple of starts to trouble the judge so he looks best watched. Mcevoy has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for his win here in January, while Surricate has given little cause for optimism in recent starts and looks best left out of calculations. Steve Brookshaw's William Butler has been running consistently well of late and has to be respected but has yet to prove that he stays this far and a safer bet looks to be Colorado Pearl.
Mcevoy (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 6th, driven along 11th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 16, 44l behind Kew Jumper (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led until 5th, chased leader, lost touch after 19th, stayed on again to regain 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Bowleaze (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Colorado Pearl (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up last, good headway approaching 15th, challenged 4 out, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Alam (11-0) by 15l, 9 ran.
Beau Supreme (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Pulled hard, raced wide, chased leaders, ridden after 10th, weakened quickly, 8th of 12, well behind Cava Bien (10-6) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Surricate (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, hit 7th, ridden approaching 5 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Super Judge (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 12th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 17 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Mid-division, steady headway from 11th, hit 13th, soon outpaced, rallied after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, upsides flat, ran on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Storm of Applause (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.