prominent, pushed before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, beaten before 3 out
held up towards rear, some headway before nudged after 4 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, some headway when pushed after 4 out, 4th when ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, smooth progress on inner from 4 out, slow 3 out and pushed, stayed on to lead at the last where jumped okay but stumbled on landing, headed soon after, fought on bravely, just failed
in rear and outpaced, some late headway but never travelling
soon led, mistake 7th and stumbled on landing, ridden and headed before 3 out, gradually weakened
close-up, pushed and weakened to rear before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
close-up, hit 5th, pushed and ridden after 4 out, struggling to keep tabs on leaders when hit 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, smooth progress before 4 out, pushed into lead before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, led again after last, all out
Royal Plaza usually needs a run after a break but Royal Act won this back in 2019 and was successful off a 2lb higher mark at Bangor in January. POLA CHANCE still has a bit of scope over fences and found only one too good over a bit further here last time so gets the nod with Majestic Merlin, Loup De Maulde and Annie Nail all failing to justify market support last time. Balkardy is making his chasing debut but isn’t badly handicapped on his hurdles form.
Abaya Du Mathan (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Led narrowly, headed 11th and reminders, lost ground quickly and pulled up before 13th, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Balkardy (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, no impression from 3 out, stayed on one pace, 5th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Poker Master (10-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Majestic Merlin 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, joined leader8th, led on long run to 4 out, headed next, ridden and kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Duneomeno (10-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Loup De Maulde (FR) 2-1fav (10-2) In rear, not fluent 7th, soon outpaced, well beaten before 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Ben Buie (10-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Annie Nail (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-13) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened next, eased and pulled up 2 out, at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Pola Chance (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed 3out, lost 2nd briefly before next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Marettimo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Royal Plaza 5-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied final 50yds, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Go As You Please (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Royal Act 33-1 (10-5) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden before next, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened between last two, went badly left last, 5th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Dawn Raider (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Master Mikey Dee (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) In touch in mid-division, outpaced after 5th, no impression before 3 out, 7th of 12, 27 1/4l behind Sabbathical (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
