led to 2nd, remained prominent, led after 4th, clear approaching 2 out, very easily
mistake and unseated rider 2nd
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, losing place when hit 3rd, soon pushed along, mistake 6th, tailed off after next
held up, mistake and unseated rider 4th
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, chased winner after 3 out, soon ridden and no chance
put keen hold, in touch, mistake 2nd, dropped rear 4th, no chance from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, struggling when not fluent 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, led 2nd, headed after 4, remained prominent until weakened under pressure after 3 out
tendancy to jump right, prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, stumbled first, headway 5th, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last
It would be no surprise to see Quickbeam win this but he's likely to be plenty short enough and has to carry a double penalty so we'll propose Pickamus as an each-way alternative. The selection showed promise on his first two starts in a bumper and a hurdle before disappointing at Hereford. His yard wasn't firing at the time though and he posted a much better effort at Warwick where he shaped for all the world as though he'd relish the step up to this sort of trip. Quickbeam has made a decent impression since Christmas and earned the step up to Grade 1 company at Aintree last time. He came up short there but this represents a reasonable opportunity for him to get back to winning ways. The Accordion Man is another likely danger following a fairly encouraging debut at Southwell but he has had his share of problems. Archduke Ferdinand, Dalyan Dancer and Silly Wupple are others worthy of a second glance whilst support for Padalko would be of interest but we're happy to stick with our pick, Pickamus.
Quickbeam (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent, chased leader 6th until after 10th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Pettifour (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd.
Dalyan Dancer 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 7th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rodrigo Gonzales (12-0) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, driven and lost place after 6th, soon behind, 8th of 13, 47l behind Porters War (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Padalko (FR) Kadalko gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Le Burf.
Pickamus (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader to 5th, mistake 3 out, regained 2nd before 2 out, switched left approaching last, led flat, headed close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Prince du Seuil (11-0) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Silly Wupple 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Or Bleu (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, went 2nd at 7th, driven and hung left from 2 out, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Scotland Yard (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
The Accordion Man (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Led, ridden 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Seize (10-11) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Feb.
