alway prominent, led after 9th, drew clear approaching 3 out, easily
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd or 8th, soon niggled along, struggling after 9th
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, challenged after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, raced keenly, weakened quickly 9th, pulled up soon after
with leader, hit 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 9th, jumped left, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
held up in rear, took keen hold, in touch when hit 9th, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up, behind from 7th, tailed off when jumped left final 3
not fluent, held up, took keen hold, struggling after 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
led, driven and headed after 9th, no chance with winner before 3 out, hung right after last, lost 2nd final strides
Galient should have too much class for this opposition; La Estrella is the obvious one for the forecast with Prof De L'Isle and Rudinero more speculative alternatives. Nicky Henderson's charge was a useful stayer at his best on the level for Michael Jarvis and made a winning start to his new career at Fontwell in pleasing fashion. The three to follow him home all had some form to their name so it was probably a fair effort and he should progress. He jumped proficiently, should come on for the experience and will appreciate this longer trip. It's hard to see where the dangers lie for as well as La Estrella did in winning at Fakenham the form is somewhat short of the level required. That said, he did win impressively and he hails from a yard that knows the time of day so any market support would look significant. Prof De L'Isle has shown glimmers of ability and may be able to improve again back at his local track with his yard in better form whilst blinkers may help Rudinero recapture the zest that saw him run out a 16 length winner of a bumper on debut. There's a fair bit of straw clutching to be done to support that pair though and Galient is difficult to oppose.
Galient (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) With leader, led approaching 6th, headed briefly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Dragon Eye (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
La Estrella (USA) 8-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway after 5th, driven to lead 2 out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Hernando Royal (11-6) by 10l, 12 ran.
Dakota Boy (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened, 6th of 16, 21l behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Macamoto (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, no chance when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Ambrosinni (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Overton Lad 40-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, led 6th to 8th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Go Amwell (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 22, 26l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Rudinero (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up, ridden 4th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind More Equity (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Smoke It (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up, always behind, last of 8, well behind Gee Dee (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd.
Son of Samson (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Detatched from 2nd, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Otage De Brion (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Woodlands Gem (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) In touch, reminder after 2nd, soon lost place, tailed off before 8th, 12th of 13, well behind Glen Omen (11-6) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.