led, pushed along when hit 2 out, joined next, ridden and ran on, headed final strides
tracked leader, pushed along 2 out, joined leader next, ridden and ran on to lead final strides
tracked leaders, pushed along when blundered 2 out, lost all chance
close up, not fluent at times, ridden and outpaced 3 out
in rear, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
Hecouldbetheone ran below par at Ascot last time when finishing behind fourth-placed Unanswered Prayers and both carry double penalties for earlier wins. The latter may well struggle to confirm earlier running with Jazz King on worse terms though Sam Thomas’ charge has been well beaten since. The bumper winner SUPER DUPER SAM (NAP) makes more appeal having finished runner-up in both starts over hurdles so far, including at Newbury last time, and Neil Mulholland’s charge looks up to winning at this level on that evidence.
Hecouldbetheone (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly before last, 6th of 8, dist behind Skytastic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Unanswered Prayers (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Towards rear on outside, ridden and no impression after 4 out, some headway 2 out, one pace from before last, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Skytastic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Jazz King (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, left 2nd at 5th until approaching 2 out, chased leaders, weakened between last two, 4th of 7, 19l behind Triple Trade (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Super Duper Sam 2-1 (11-6) Chased winner throughout, ridden between last two, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Kincardine (11-6) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Valirann Gold (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Held up, progress into 8th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, 5th of 16, 30 1/2l behind L'yser (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Jan.
