prominent, ridden and headway on inside 9th, led 2 out, driven out
towards rear, ridden and weakened 8th
held up, ridden and headway after 9th, kept on one pace
led, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, wandered approaching 2 out, kept on
chased leader, ridden and no chance from 3 out
chased leader, pulled up after 7th, dismounted
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, lost touch 8th
in touch, ridden 9th, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden 9th, stayed on from 3 out, ran on strongly after last, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, no chance after
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a moderate looking finale and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Pitful Tercah, who has shown improved form for the step up in trip, and David Pipe's gelding gets the verdict over Euro Import and Nemetan. The last mentioned has run well in all four starts since the turn of the year but the Alner's gelding has yet to prove that he stays this far and he may be best watched. Anything trained by Paul Nicholls always has to be considered but his representative here Taralina has given little cause for optimism so far, while Coeur d'Alene looks plenty high enough in the weights for his return to hurdling. Captain Becket is less exposed than most of these but is another that has yet to prove that he stays this far and of more interest may be Euro Import, who looks to be going the right way. Pitful Tercah looks the safest option though and he gets the vote.
Coeur d'Alene 4-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Bright Green 80-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and headway after 10th, weakened 13th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Karanja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always mid-division, 7th of 16, 26l behind Wotchalike (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Pitful Tercah (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten when jumped left last, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Geography (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Don't Be Bleu (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, moderate 10th 4 out, soon no impression, 10th of 18, well behind Mustangsallyrally (11-4) at Tralee 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 sft in Aug.
Picabo Kid (USA) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 3rd until 9th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 15, 21l behind Our Jim (11-3) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Feb.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, 6th of 10, 28l behind Pop (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Madam Blaze 13-2 (11-9) Held up, headway, not clear run on bend approaching 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lily Tara (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Minella Lodge 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, left 2nd and hampered last, 2nd of 8, 22l behind The Langer (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Mar.
The General Lee (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Willie The Fish (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Taralina 12-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 21, 37l behind Wun Chai (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Thunder Child 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division when fell at the 8th in race won by Tosula (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Captain Becket 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway 2 out, led flat, pushed out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Mar beating Award Winning (10-12) by 3l, 12 ran.
Euro Import 16-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Kings Rock (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Nautic (FR) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 6th, 7th of 16, 13l behind High Jack (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Nemetan (FR) 3-1co-fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, staying on when not fluent 2 out, rallied to lead last, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar beating Kew Jumper (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
