close up, went 2nd 11th to 14th, weakened before 4 out
led, ridden 16th, headed when hit 2 out, tried to rally as winner idled run-in, always held
chased leaders, driven along 14th, soon struggling
held up in touch, blundered 7th, headway to track leaders from 12th, went 2nd 14th, led travelling well 2 out, in command when idled and rider dropped whip run-in
chased leaders, driven along after 11th, disputing poor 3rd when blundered 16th, soon weakened
always rear, soon tailed off
not always fluent, chased leaders, driven along and lost place before 8th, behind when hit 12th, no chance after
Hever Road gets the confident vote here with Special Conquest and Spring Grove rating the main dangers. The selection won in game fashion last time out when beating Holy Joe, that form has since been franked and although he has a penalty for that win he is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Special Conquest rates the main danger on his best form as he looks to be on a handy mark but consistency is not his strong point and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Spring Grove was a fair second behind Tallow Bay last time and is another that could go well off the same mark here. Of the remainder Koquelicot has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price now that he returns to a faster surface but for the winner we return to Hever Road.
Spring Grove (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, steady headway from 12th, left and narrow lead 14th, looked in command 2 out, weakened flat, caught last stride, 2nd of 8, shd behind Tallow Bay (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Koquelicot (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Led 4th, headed 23rd, stayed handy, until weakened soon after 3 out, 5th of 16, 13l behind Native Jack (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Hever Road (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to press leaders 4 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead approaching last, hung left close home, all out, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs beating Holy Joe (11-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Special Conquest 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 16th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 48l behind Tom Sayers (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Mr Dow Jones (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway after 10th, ridden 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Brush A King (10-2) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jun '04.
Baloo 66-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 1st until 3rd, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 38l behind Wellbeing (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Tommy Carson 11-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden along throughout, outpaced 11th, driven and rallied approaching 4 out, hard ridden to press for 2nd from next, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Hazeljack (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in.
Rum Pointer (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, stumbled badly 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Hazeljack (9-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
