tracked leader, weakened 6th
in touch, jumped right 1st, stumbled 2nd, weakened 6th
tracked leaders, led 6th, hung right and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
led, headed 6th, ridden and weakened 7th
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 6th, every chance when mistake 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, some progress 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, hampered 1st, took closer order 4th, ridden and weakened 6th
jumped badly right 1st, tailed off from 6th
tracked leaders throughout, ridden 2 out, every chance last, no extra
held up and keen, headway 3 out, led on bit 2 out, kept on
Traprain, Mars Rock and Great Memories are three for the shortlist here with preference for the Philip Hobbs-trained Traprain. He was a useful staying-handicapper on the flat for Michael Jarvis and won a competitive Nottingham-handicap on his final start. He showed bags of promise when second behind Princelet over this course-and-distance in January before disappointing at Hereford in February. He is worth another chance today and is our selection. Mars Rock could be the main danger to our choice. He won a bumper at Plumpton last October and was second around here in a maiden hurdle in February. He shaped as though he would prefer further that day and he might be seen to better effect over longer distances. Great Memories races in the J P McManus colours and represents the Jonjo O¿Neill yard. He has shown some promise in his previous starts and should go well again today but we will side with Traprain.
Cool Bathwick (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Held up, struggling 3f out, last of 11, 20l behind Bid For Fame (10-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Great Memories 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway from 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 18, 23l behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Lord West 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division until 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Black Hills (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Wiggy Smith 10-1 (11-3) Not jump well and always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Topkat (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Xcentra 11-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 4l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Jun.
The Composer 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, left 2nd last, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Fabulous Jet (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Traprain (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up and keen, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 35l behind Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Mars Rock (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Led 3rd, mistake 5th, jumped left 3 out, soon headed, jumped left 2 out, 6 lengths down and disputing 2nd when bumped badly and brought down at the last in race won by Witness Run (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
