held up in last trio, never involved
held up in rear, slightly hampered 2nd, never on terms, eased when blundered and unseated rider last
led 100 yards, prominent in chasing group, outpaced 2 out, went badly left last, kept on into modest 4th post
chased leaders, mistake 6th, outpaced 4 out, rallied before 2 out, led narrowly and hit 2 out, soon joined and ridden,
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
chased leaders until weakened quickly soon after 3 out, pulled up before next
raced wide, chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, no danger after
held up towards rear, steady headway 5th, chased leaders before 3 out went 2nd going well before 2 out, every chance last, no extra final 100 yards
mid-division until outpaced 4 out, rallied chasing leaders before next, kept on same pace from 2 out, lost modest 4th post
led after 100 yards and soon clear until reduced lead 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, carried left last
held up, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 4th, 2nd next until ridden before 2 out, weakened quickly
chasing clear leader when fell 2nd
Philip Hobbs’ stable is emerging from the doldrums but it would be some training feat to produce the lightly-raced Tapaculo race-fit after a three-year absence. A number of these are better known as chasers including Space Oddity, Bally Longford and Private Malone but the latter’s handler, Emma Lavelle, has an interesting runner in the potentially well-treated Fortunate George. A Hare Breath is tried in cheekpieces but First Drift may be having a confidence-booster. BETAMECHE beat Sam Spinner and Keeper Hill in a bumper in 2016. He hasn’t had much racing since but has been making steady progress over hurdles this season and an opening mark of 124 isn’t excessive.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear on outside, closed briefly before 3rd but soon steadied, effort 2 out, no impression before last, well beaten flat, last of 9, 27 1/4l behind Al Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Tapaculo 5-6fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, led soon after next, mistake 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind The Boss's Dream (11-12) at Kempton 3m (3) sft in Jan.
Space Oddity (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Prominent on outside, not fluent and lost place 5th, behind from 3 out, 9th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Capitaine (11-0) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
First Drift 14-1 (10-10) Not jump well, 2nd until 4th, lost place 7th, rallied when hampered 3 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Kildisart (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Fortunate George (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Never closer than mid-division, pushed along after 6th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Padleyourowncanoe (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Private Malone (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) In touch on outside when stumbled and unseated rider 1st, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Nesterenko (GER) 14-1 (11-11) Prominent, led 3 out, soon headed, rallied next, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 13, 10 1/2l behind Rothman (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Betameche (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, clear next, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Mack The Man (11-4) by 6l, 14 ran.
Bally Longford (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, blundered 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 7 1/4l behind Looking Well (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Hallings Comet 25-1 (9-4) Prominent, led after 1f, driven and headed 3f out, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Double Legend (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Ritual Of Senses (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, mid-division on outside, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Keeper Hill (10-13) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Hit The Highway (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4f out, 10th of 14, 27 1/4l behind Darling Maltaix (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
