chased leaders in 4th, driven and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led after 5th, drew well clear before 2 out, very easily
took keen hold, in rear, in touch, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, went moderate 3rd flat
led until after 5th, lost 2nd next, weakened 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last
took keen hold, tracked leaders, chased winner 6th, ridden and well beaten before 2 out
held up in 5th, tracked leaders 4th, weakened 3 out, lost moderate 3rd flat
MICHEL LE BON is no good thing but Paul Nicholls' talented gelding is taken to see off this motley-looking bunch. Punters had their fingers burned last time when 'Michel' was more 'mauvais' than 'bon' as the selection could only muster third place behind According To Dick. That however was in a race miles ahead of this contest and with the step up in trip looking sure to suit, it would be a big surprise were he to be beaten again today. The other penalised runner in the line-up is Kilvergan Boy, and he looks to be the main danger. The former point-to-pointer was a winner on his debut under rules at Towcester but then seemed to get bogged down in the mud next time up. The step up in trip is sure to suit him and assuming he handles these quicker conditions then he looks the obvious forecast material. Newcomer Coffee Morning doesn't strike much of a chord as an 11-year-old, whilst Run For Moor and All About Trigger need to improve on what we have seen to date but that is entirely possible, especially for the former, a half brother to Fundamentalist. A low-key start to the day, and we are hungry like the wolf for Michel Le Bon.
Kilvergan Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Led to 3rd, ridden and lost 2nd when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 36l behind Aachen (11-10) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Michel Le Bon (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Led to 4th, chased leader after, still every chance 2 out, driven and stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind According To Dick (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
All About Trigger (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, ran on strongly from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Officier De Reserve (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Coffee Morning (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Led 2; all out, won at Kilworthy 3m ptp sft beating Loup du Sud (12-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Run For Moor (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 3rd 7th, ridden when mistake and weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 26l behind Definity (11-8) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
The Wedding Horse (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 28l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
