mid-division until weakened after 3 out, eased when beaten
held up, driven along after 7th, headway after 9th, stayed on from last
always towards rear
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, gradually weakened
led until after 6th, dropped rear after 9th, stayed on again from 2 out
in touch, led after 6th, headed approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed flat
held up, ridden, headway after 3 out, stayed on to lead flat, driven out
chased leaders, blundered 9th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on
held up, brought down 8th
close up when fell 8th
Albany is the tentative selection with the in-form Master Builder an obvious alternative in a tricky heat. The selection hasn't been easy to keep sound but returned to action with a decisive win from Reel Charmer at Kelso. After just 9 starts over hurdles, he still has scope for further improvement but whether he's good enough to overcome a 16lb rise in the weights remains to be seen. Those near the top of the weights do have a decent record in recent years though. With two of the runners sporting blinkers for the first time, a couple having their first run of the season and a handful more registering below par displays when last in action it may pay to tread carefully. The exceptions are Master Builder and Pocket Too who both come into the race in winning form. Pocket Too is up in the weights, class and trip, the combined factors of which make him easy enough to pass over. Master Builder is a likeable sort who is progressing with experience; he has scope for further improvement and has an entry in the 3 mile novice race at Cheltenham. He'd need to go very close from this mark to earn his place in the line up there but our nominal vote goes to Albany.
Albany (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led next, ridden and stayed on well from 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Reel Charmer (11-2) by 5l, 14 ran.
Itsa Legend 50-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, 32l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Julius Caesar 100-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 13th of 24, 27l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Chased leader, lost place 7th, not fluent 11th, soon ridden, outpaced 4 out, rallied and stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Craven (11-4) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Openide 25-1 (10-6) Always in rear, ridden 8th, never on terms, 6th of 9, 28l behind Hills Of Aran (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Mistakes, in touch, jumped left and reminders 3rd, 4th and next, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Fundamentalist (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grad Ch (2) gf in Dec.
Arrayou (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along and struggling from 7th, 14th of 20, 16l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Master Builder (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, smooth headway from 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead last, driven out flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Harry Wood (11-5) by 1l, 15 ran.
Pocket Too 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden when slightly hampered 2 out, led soon after last and edged left, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy beating Sky Mack (11-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Estate 5-1fav (10-3) Mid-division, good headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 12th of 20, 14l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Drumbeater (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-divisiion, ridden and headway after 9th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 15, 25l behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
