tracked leaders, led 3f out, headed 2f out and weakened
towards rear, headway 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened
towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, stayed on after 3f out
mid-division, progress 6th, stumbled next and soon held
in touch, headway 5th to join leader, weakened quickly 3f out, pulled up before 2f out
towards rear, ridden 5th, plugged on
led, ridden and headed 3f out and weakened
held up, hampered 4f out, headway 3f out, chased winner last, held
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, led 2ft out, hit last, driven out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakend 3f out
towards rear, late progress
towards rear, mistake 2nd, ridden and headway after 4f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, fell heavily 4f out
This should concern those at the top of the handicap, with preference for Easy Laughter over Jack Rolfe, Investment Wings and Hiawatha. Easy Laughter responded well to first-time blinkers at Wincanton at the start of the month, gaining his first win over hurdles, and with the ground just about perfect for Alan King's charge, he is taken to make light of a rise in the weights. Jack Rolfe was successful on the all-weather in March and has not had a lot of outings over hurdles. However, he was fourth to Detroit City at Newbury in January 2006, so has to be respected despite topweight. Investment Wings shaped well on his first start for Peter Kelsall when third at Hereford, and the other for the short-list is Hiawatha who went close at Worcester under today's pilot, 10lb claimer David Boland. It is hard to see anything else other than one of those mentioned winning the finale, but the market may throw up a springer. We though are happy to stay with Easy Laughter.
Jack Rolfe 10-11fav (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Creinch (10-6) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May '06.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) In touch, headway after 3 out, challenging when not much room 2 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf beating Compton Star (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Investment Wings (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed 2 out, weakend, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Phoenix Eye (10-1) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Hiawatha (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 15, 2l behind General Smith (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Marigolds Way 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Mole's Chamber (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Celticello (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, going well approaching 2 out, ridden and held when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Moon Star (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr, 16 ran.
Barodine 9-1 (11-6) Raced keenly in mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 29l behind Woolly Bully (11-11) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Final Promise 10-1 (10-6) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Pocket Too (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
