tracked leader until quickly weakened approaching 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, in touch, led 2 out, stayed on well (no time taken)
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened next
BACKSTAGE should take this without alarm if over his Aintree exertions, with fellow Irish raider Selection Box fancied to take care of Ollie Magern and Brooklyn Brownie in the battle for second. Gordon Elliott has a fine record at this track and can enhance it further by landing this prize with our pick. He's rated 148 and therefore has 10lbs and more in hand of these, whilst the fact that he unseated in the Grand National last time can't really be held against him, particularly as a loose horse didn't help his cause to say the least. With today's conditions ideal he's taken to beat Selection Box, a horse whose second to the decent One Cool Cookie in March reads well. He's not yet won over three miles but looks a real stayer and with ground likely to be no worse than good he should have to trouble on that front. Ollie Magern deserves to win another race but he's a long way past his best although this small field may help him return to the sort of form that saw him second behind Deep Purple in October which would give him claims of sorts, whilst Brooklyn Brownie has been well beaten of late and the same is expected here. This prize should go to Ireland and we fancy Backstage to take the world of beating.
Backstage (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division when hampered and brought down 20th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 40 ran.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Behind, lost touch 8th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Lease Lend (11-9) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Ollie Magern 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 40 ran.
Selection Box (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out, almost refused and unseated rider last, remounted to finish, completely tailed off, 11th of 26, well behind Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy.
