led, ridden 2 out, narrow lead when fell last
held up and keen, ridden 2 out, no impression on leaders
tracked leaders, slightly hampered 2nd, ridden 2 out, left in lead last, ridden out
held up, headway approaching 2 out, weakening when slowly hampered 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, wandered and jumped left 2nd, ridden 2 out, every chance after last, out battled
Woolcombe Folly is Ruby Walsh's only ride on the card and this appears to be a decent opportunity for this useful prospect. Francis Dunstan is easily discarded whilst Val Du Ciron hasn't done enough since winning a bumper on debut to merit consideration. Blackthorn Boy ran on well to score at Hereford but is relatively exposed in comparison to his rivals and it would be a surprise if he were able to give weight away all round. Supreme Duke is no pushover as there was a lot to like about his run over course and distance last time to confirm the promise that he showed on debut when a 2 length second to Seven Is My Number in an Ascot bumper. The selection came up against that runner from the Pipe yard on his hurdling bow and only lost out by a short-head. He was closing all the way to the line at Taunton that day and this stiffer track will play to his strengths as he's a stayer in the making. However, he showed last time that he has enough pace for this trip and Woolcombe Folly should be backed to make Ruby's journey worthwhile.
Blackthorn Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Always prominent, bumped 1st, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well to draw clear flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Dereks (11-4) by 8l, 15 ran.
Francis Dunstan (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, last of 9, 45l behind Openditch (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, headway before next, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Isn't That Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Val du Ciron (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway into close 4th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 6, 13l behind Shanxi Girl (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Nov.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, kept on close home, just held, 2nd of 13, shd behind Seven Is My Number (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
