held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened before 2 out
led, ridden approaching 4 out, headed after next, weakened before 2 out
prominent, lost place approaching 4 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, under pressure 5th, rallied after 3 out, soon one pace
always behind, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, mistake last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, always travelling well, led after 3 out, driven clear next, ran on well
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Now dropping into selling grade the consistent ROYAL PRODIGY looks the safest call with Brigadore with a bit to prove now back in a handicap and Norman Beckett needing to improve. Having finished a close up third off this mark last time in a tougher race when paired with this pilot for the first time on his last run the selection showed improvement from his seasonal bow. We'd expect him to show more again on his third run back and with the others in the field carrying plenty of doubts we think that Ron Hodges' charge is a solid choice. Brigadore ran away with a selling hurdle on his last start so while he is respected now back to form the terms were very much in his favour that day and he will have to improve to carry this mark to victory. Norman Beckett has been well held in all of his recent starts but now down to a career low rating he should show us more while Colin Tizzard has his string in good form so Go Johnny Go is also consider at a bigger price under his current weight. It's a race that shouldn't take much winning and Royal Prodigy is a confident enough pick with less to prove than the others in the field.
Brigadore (USA) 2-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway to lead 3 out, drew clear approaching next, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f sell hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Galant Eye (10-5) by 12l, 6 ran.
Norman Beckett 9-1 (11-9) Prominent, raced keenly, not fluent and reminders 3rd, ridden after next, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 13, 19l behind Bosamcliff (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Go Johnny Go (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Towards rear and struggling after 4th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Ban Uisce (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leader until 4th, led 2 out, headed and no exta flat, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Tiger O'toole (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Jack Rio (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Took keen hold in rear, pushed along 5th, mistake 3 out, always behind, last of 12, 46l behind Tanto Faz (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Mistress Eva 66-1 (9-4) Always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 15, 47l behind Tara Taylor (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Canshebemine 150-1 (10-5) Never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off, 6th of 12, 44l behind King's Legacy (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 23l behind Singapore Reef (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Magic Merlin 50-1 (10-4) In rear, headway approaching 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 15, 14l behind Another Miracle (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, slow and pushed along 4th, soon behind, pulled up last, in a race won by Ban Uisce (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Protiva 14-1 (10-5) Took good hold in mid-division, headway approaching 4th, mistake next, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Dark Oasis (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Quotable 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway on inside approaching 9th, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 48l behind Paradise Expected (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f Conditional Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-90) (4yo+) (5) gd.
