led until jumped left 4th, soon led again, went left and not fluent 5th, given reminder, headed before 3 out, weakened after, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and pressing for 2nd after 3 out, one pace and beaten before 2 out, lost 3rd last
tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 4 out, led and hit 3 out, soon went clear, went left last, easily
held up on outside, not fluent 4th or 5th, ridden 3 out, pressing for 3rd but no impression 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, challenged 3rd, led briefly next, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, not much room after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression
held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, soon 2nd, no impression on winner before 2 out but well clear of rest
Narrowly beaten in a couple of earlier attempts, DOC CARVER was still in contention when falling at Towcester last time. It may come right for Henry Oliver’s charge today given Not Never is raised in class off a higher mark for last month’s course and distance success. Jumping Jack has placed in four of five starts over hurdles and is fit from racing on the all-weather while Darwins Theory ran well over timber at Kempton when last in action but that was in May last year. Zen Master has won a maiden hurdle but has struggled in handicaps since.
Boru's Brook (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up, headway on outside 14f out, weakened over 6f out, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Indian Red (9-2) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Doc Carver (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) With leader, led narrowly 3 out when fell, at Towcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Not Never 7-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, switched right and went 2nd approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out, upsides last, hung left and ridden to lead narrowly run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Tara Bridge (12-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Zen Master (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led until headed before 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Hope's Wishes 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 6th, no impression on winner before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Castafiore (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Darwins Theory (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, left 2nd next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with winner before last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Our Three Sons (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Jumping Jack (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Oud Metha Bridge (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
