mid-division, short-lived effort after 3 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, good headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon headed, no extra
prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, close up when slipped on bend approaching next, not recover and pulled up
mid-division until dropped rear 5th, soon ridden, stayed on again from 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well, ridden out
led until 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, effort after 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed and hit 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway and mistake 3rd, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
We're happy to keep on opposing Wondersobright despite him gaining a deserved success last time. Magic Merlin can do the trick for us but we also expect Ful Of Grace to have a say in the outcome. The selection showed a useful level of form on decent ground in 2006 so it was encouraging that he ran as well as he did on his return to action on soft ground in February. The winner went on to win his next three starts, the second and fifth have won since and he was only beaten under 6 lengths. He's 2lbs higher but will be better served by this ground and a professional takes over from an amateur. Wondersobright wasn't winning out of turn at Plumpton but that was just his first success in twenty two starts over hurdles and came on heavy ground. He's consistent but has to be opposed. Ful Of Grace scored in this grade in December but has since struggled to land a blow in handicap company. This is more realistic and better can be expected with trip and ground to suit but we far prefer the claims of Magic Merlin.
Perfect Storm 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed when hit last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Indian Star (11-2) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd.
Amnesty 2-1jt-fav (10-12) In touch, hit 5th, driven next, struggling when hit 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Come Bye (10-1) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Bhnd til pulled up in race won by Balloughton (12-0) at Cilwendeg 3m ptp hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Temper Lad (USA) 22-1 (11-7) Always behind, ridden 6th, no impression, 12th of 15, well behind Nick's Choice (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Feb.
Over Ice 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 40l behind Mossmann Gorge (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Alisar (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 5th, no impression, 6th of 12, 37l behind Captain Becket (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Magic Merlin 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, steady headway after 5th, keeping on when mistake last, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Ede's (10-8) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Wondersobright (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Made all, in command after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy beating Hansomelle (11-7) by 9l, 9 ran.
Bond Cruz 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway when mistake 4th, close up when hit last, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 18, 16l behind Countback (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Are You There 8-1 (11-8) Behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Ede's (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Timynomates (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 17, 39l behind Dansimar (9-8) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Travello (GER) 40-1 (10-9) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 15, well behind Nick's Choice (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Feb.
Ful of Grace (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, behind 5th, no chance after, 12th of 17, well behind Decree Nisi (11-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
