tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, kept on from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, soon pushed along and struggling, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, some headway 4 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, soon tailed off
tracked leader, chased winner last, no impression
held up towards rear, mid-division 4th, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear and keen, weakened after 4th
Nonrunner
Whilst Ciceron should go well the value may lie with TANGO FOXTROT in a race lacking strength in depth. Our selection has been kept locked in his horse box throughout the winter owing to the fact he likes good ground, which he'll get here. The gelding was last seen in October when only three lengths behind the smart Some Present, form which gives him excellent claims of breaking his duck over timber. Positive tactics were adopted that day and our hope is that Graham Lee sends his mount to the front, which would see him hard to peg back. Ciceron is likely to be sent off a warm order for this and rightly so. Venetia Williams' charge has won a pair of handicap hurdles lately and should go close back in novice company despite his penalty with good ground seemingly no problem. Of the rest, only Ten Pole Tudor makes serious each-way appeal. This horse was a modest flat handicapper but has done well over hurdles in two starts with the possibility that there is more to come. Accordingtotheboss ran well in a bumper but may want the ground softer, Balnagore makes his hurdling debut and needs a market check whilst Bucephalus did run his best race last time but surely needs further than this. With Quite The Man yet to reproduce his bumper form and Wind Shuffle appearing modest, this is best left to Tango Foxtrot.
Ciceron (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Blundered 1st, soon recovered to race in touch, effort on inside to track leaders going well after 3 out, tracked leader on bit before 2 out, led between last 2, soon clear, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Boogie Dancer (10-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Accordingtotheboss (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) In rear, ridden and outpaced 4f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 7, 14l behind Comeragh King (10-13) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Balnagore 10-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 7l behind Thin Red Line (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
Bucephalus (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, led between 6th and 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Drussell (11-0) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Quite The Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, keen and with leaders approaching 5th, blundered and jumped right 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Cool Mission (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Soneva Gili (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Hed up in mid-division, lost place 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 14, well behind Turbo Island (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Sunset Resort (IRE) 200-1 (10-10) Mid-division, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, chased leaders 4 out, 4th and outpaced when mistake next, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 28l behind Pyracantha (10-13) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Tango Foxtrot (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Attempted to make all, clear 4th, reduced advantage 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 25, 3l behind Some Present (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Ten Pole Tudor 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, went 4th from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 8, well behind William's Wishes (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov stks (4) gs in Mar.
The Sheepdipper 100-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 18, 41l behind Intense Suspense (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th on outer to chase leaders, one pace from last, 5th of 13, 14l behind Bishops Heir (11-4) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Winter Alchemy (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Pyracantha (10-13) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Wellesley 100-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, mid-division, lost place before 6th, behind from 4 out, 10th of 12, well behind Hold Fast (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Devinius (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towaqrds rear, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 42l behind Bogside Theatre (10-7) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Solis (GER) 22-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders headway 3 out, chased clear winner when hit last, ridden and kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Stopped Out (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
