prominent, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced final 3f
pressed leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 7f out, weakened 4f out
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon hung left and lost touch, tailed off
soon steadied, mid-division, reminders and dropped rear after 4f, no chance final 7f
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, pushed along briefly halfway, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never troubled leaders
prominent until ridden and weakened 5f out, tailed off
raced keenly, led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden 7f out, behind final 5f, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 4f out
PIPE BANNER has reasonable form claims but there are a number of viable alternatives including Flanagan and Quatzar. Pipe Banner made his debut in a Sandown bumper that has worked out well before chasing home a horse of Paul Nicholls' at Taunton. Tony McCoy takes the ride for the first time and he should have a say in the outcome. Flanagan finished a long way clear of the third at Chepstow when making a pleasing introduction but Quatzar, a half-brother to Natal, didn't live up to expectations but may prove capable of improving on that with his yard in better form. Better was also expected from Miss Sassi on debut whilst four of those that finished in front of Our Ashley at Aintree have turned out to be above average so he's worth considering too. There are a couple of interesting newcomers to throw into the mix so, as ever, the market may prove informative but Pipe Banner looks sure to have a say in the outcome.
Ashleys Lad (IRE) Ashley Park gelding, full brother to bumper winner Ashleys Poppy.
Canyouseeme 33-1 (10-11) Led until headed, hampered and stumbled over 4f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 22l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Flanagan (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7f out, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind King Red (10-12) at Chepstow 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Magusta (GER) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened 3f out, 11th of 13, 48l behind General Miller (10-7) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Nishnash 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, well behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in May.
Our Ashley 22-1 (10-12) In touch, not much room over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 16, 14l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in May.
Pipe Banner 11-4 (11-2) In touch, ridden and headway 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Pepe Simo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Quatzar (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Abey M'Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Quideo de Touzaine (FR) Video Rock gelding out of Domitia.
Simply Wings (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, mid-divison when not much room halfway and slipped up in race won by Giordano Bruno (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Tram Express (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 7th of 11, 26l behind Zarrafakt (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Troop The Colour (USA) 50-1 (10-9) 12th of 15, well behind Double Pride (10-12) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Miss Sassi 3-1fav (10-2) 13th of 15, well behind Double Pride (10-12) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Disco Jack (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, not much room on inside 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 20l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Midnight Fun Midnight Legend filly out of More Laughter.
Supreme Platinum (IRE) Bob Back filly out of Platinum Leader.
