held up, mistake 9th, lost place 12th, headway 17, chased winner 2 out, no chance
tracked leaders and always going well, led 3 out, ran on
held up, closer order 11th, weakened 13th
led, hit 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, tracked leader from 11th, ridden 5 out, weakened after 4 out
in rear, soon detached, blundered 17th, stayed on from after 3 out, to take 3rd line
First Love won this race in 2006 and is taken to retain his crown; You Do The Math may come closest to usurping him. The selection has been a grand servant to connections and has found a new lease of life in this sphere. Fitness won't be an issue, trip, track, ground all suit, his jockey gets on well with him and the pair can land a popular success. Back Nine has to concede weight and has struggled so far this season which could see young pretender You Do The Math emerge as the principal threat. He beat a useful sort in Hautclan at Tweseldown last month to confirm his wellbeing and his chance must be respected. The remainder look to have something to find with that trio and we'll take First Love to prevail.
Back Nine (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 12th, ridden after 19th, one pace from next, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Le Duc (12-0) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) gd in Feb.
You Do The Math (IRE) 20-1 (12-5) A cl up; led 2 out; drvn out, won at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Hautclan (12-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Beluga (IRE) 6-1 (12-7) Bhnd til kpt on frm 15, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Who Else Knew (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Feb.
First Love 4-7fav (12-4) Tracked leader and close up until 6th, ridden and no impression and lost 2nd 2 out, stayed on at same pace after, 4th of 6, 3l behind Balinova (12-1) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Feb '07.
Uncle Neil (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, 48l behind Sleeping Night (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) sft in Feb.
Waterberg (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Wl bhnd when unseated rider in race won by Saint Reverien (12-0) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd in Feb, 14 ran.