tracked leaders on inside, pushed along on long run before 2 out, soon weakened quickly
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last two
towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, tailed off when awkward 2 out, never on terms
held up in mid-division, headway on inside approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden before last, weakened run-in
chased leaders out wide, led after 2 out, 3 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 2 out, not clearest of runs between last two, run-in3rd and one pace
mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders before 2 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, chased winner until between last two, weakened before the last
off the pace in last pair, never
raced out wide in mid-division, weakened before 2 out
held up off the pace in last pair,
held up towards rear, good headway tracking leaders turning in, ridden and went 2nd between last two, 3 lengths down when stumbled last, no impression run-in
led, joined before 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, chased leaders, weakened between last two
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, headway out wide chasing leaders before 2 out, 4th and one pace run-in
held up and always towards rear
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last two
tracked leaders out wide, went 2nd at 3rd, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
A typically wide-open renewal of this Grade 3 novices’ handicap. Paul Nicholls has saddled three of the last 12 winners and is represented by Knappers Hill, an honourable sixth in the Betfair Hurdle last month, and the maiden Complete Unknown. The latter was beaten two lengths by Jerrash at Ascot but is 4lb better off. The last 14 winners have all had an official rating of between 122 and 132 and THUNDER ROCK falls nicely within that weight range. He was completing a hat-trick at Huntingdon last month and the runner-up has gone close since off a higher mark. Our Jet seeks a three-timer of his own after a couple of victories at Wetherby and Peejaybee is also on a roll and proven over track and trip but Dubrovnik Harry failed to land the odds at Leicester and is no certainty to confirm running with Jet Plane on revised terms. Kingofthewest and Arizona Cardinal may be best of the rest.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in mid-division out wide, headway and pushed along before 2 out, weakened after the last, 6th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Glory And Fortune (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Surrey Quest (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Close up, lost place 5 out, weakening when hit 3 out, pulled up next, at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Jerrash 1-5fav (11-7) Made all, soon clear, hit 2nd, slowed into 2 out and reduced lead, 2 lengths ahead when mistake last, pressed briefly run-in, found extra and asserted final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Make My Day (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 5-6fav (10-4) Tracked clear leader, closed up after 4 out, led 3 out, soon pressed, not fluent and pushed along 2 out, ridden and asserted run-in, readily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Dorking Boy (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Peejaybee (FR) 2-13fav (11-12) Chased leader, almost upsides 4th, smooth progress to lead after 3 out, drew clear before 2 out, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Limerick Leader (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Complete Unknown (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Tracked leader, hit 2nd, not fluent 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon every chance, slightly hampered and carried left run-in, soon no extra, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Jerrash (11-2) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jan.
Dubrovnik Harry (IRE) 1-3fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, raced keenly early stages, went 2nd after 7th, led 2 out, dived at last, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Anglers Crag (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb.
Triple Trade 8-11fav (11-7) Prominent, led briefly before 3 out, soon headed, ridden approaching last, lost second after last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 21l behind Trelawne (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Our Jet (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 8th, pushed along when not fluent 2 out, driven before jumping left last, stayed on flat, led towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Feb beating Rafferty's Return (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Kingofthewest (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Jumped slickly, made all, clear between last two, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Pachacuti (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Hometown Hero (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead run in, soon edged left, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) gs in Feb beating Luke (11-2) by nk, 6 ran.
Marble Sands (FR) 15-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, led 2 out, soon ridden and pressed after last, headed 110 yards out on run-in, kept on well, 2nd of 14, nk behind Kingofthewest (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Arizona Cardinal 11-4 (11-2) Made all, pushed along 2 out, not fluent next, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb beating Hauraki Gulf (11-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Latitude (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Jet Plane (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Mid-division, headway after 7th, went 3rd from 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Anglers Crag (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb.
Mucho Mas (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, travelled strongly and joined leader at 3 out, ridden and under pressure at 2 out, rallied and every chance before last hurdle, weakened close home, 3rd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Super Survivor (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Georges Saint (FR) 11-4jfav (10-10) Kept wide, chased leading pair, pushed along and hit 3 out, soon ridden and no extra in 3rd, hit last, weakened badly and lost two places run-in, 5th of 6, 9l behind Honneur D'Ajonc (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
