towards rear, some progress before pushed after 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace
prominent, raced wide, pushed and weakened before 2 out
slightly worse than midfield, ridden after 3 out, never threatened leaders but some late headway
midfield, hit 3 out and soon pushed, well beaten
midfield, hit 4 out, ridden after 3 out and soon beaten
towards rear, well beaten when ridden after 3 out
in rear, pushed before 5th, ridden before 4 out, never threatened
made all, driven clear from 2 out, eased down late on, readily
prominent, pushed after 4 out, weakening when ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
slightly better than midfield, raced keenly, widest of all 4 out, switched to inner turning for home, pushed in 2nd before last, ridden late on and stayed on nicely behind comfortable winner
Paul Nicholls is seeking a third win in this in four years and PETROSSIAN (NAP) wasn’t beaten far by a subsequent winner on his hurdling debut at Kempton in November. Granted normal improvement, he should go one better today. Henry Box Brown won a Wexford bumper a year ago but might need his first run for new connections. Winterwatch is a likely improver but Mister Marbles is starting to look a little exposed, though shouldn’t be far away again. Pachacuti and Apothicaire can also play a part.
Alto Alto (FR) 28-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gs in Feb.
Apothicaire (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Close up, headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Git Maker (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Castle Quarter (IRE) 17-2 (9-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 15 1/4l behind My Brother Mike (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Helix 25-1 (11-0) Raced off the pace in 3rd, hit 4 out, pushed along before next, no chance with winner, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Mark Of Gold (11-7) at Plumpton 2m stks (4) sft in Feb.
Henry Box Brown (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Close up and disputed, ridden and disputed 2f out, narrow lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Wexford 2m 2f Yielding in Mar beating Limerick Leader (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Lord Bill (IRE) 150-1 (11-6) Held up off the pace in 6th, closer in 5th after 4 out, 4th before next, weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, 32 1/2l behind Kincardine (11-6) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Merry Monty 80-1 (11-0) Towards rear, raced keenly, ridden and well behind from 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 29 3/4l behind Individualiste (10-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar.
Mister Marbles (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Always handy, challenged 2 out, driven flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Lord Of Cheshire (11-6) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Prince Of Bad Lins (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Raced handy, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly after last but never getting to winner, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Romeo's Bond (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Winterwatch (GER) 8-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, slow and lost place 5th, left well held 4th when hampered 2 out, slow jump last, 4th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Saint Segal (11-5) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Big Bill Newman (IRE) 11-2 (12-2) Ww rr, 13th from 4th, fair 10th aftr 5out, prog in 9th aftr 3out, went 3rd bef last, 2nd at last, nvr nr, 2nd of 14, 5l behind De Nordener (11-11) at Ballyvodock 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Cadeau D'Or (FR) 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division, rear of mid-division when hampered, clipped heels and unseated rider over 3f out, at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Pachacuti (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on inside, steady headway after 4 out, travelling well in 4th before next where went left, went 2nd next, switched right and no impression between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Kingofthewest (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Petrossian (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked winner, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed run in, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Call Of The Wild (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
