close up, mistake 5th, challenged 9th, every chance 3 out, one pace in 3rd
led to 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
prominent, challenged 3 out, ridden before and mistake 2 out, one pace
chased leaders, led 4 out, clear before last, headed run-in, no extra
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, weakened after 2 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out
Legal Legend has won his last two between the flags and probably has stronger form than Coeur Brule, successful in a point-to-point at Wilton last month. But MR MERCURIAL is taken to recoup losses having made mistakes at crucial times when a well-beaten favourite at Stratford last month in a race in which Gentle Duke was tailed off when pulled up. Miss Tilly Oscar has a lengthy absence to overcome and Gather Round and Paddy B are hard to fancy.
Coeur Brule (FR) 9-4 (12-0) Led 14; drew clr 2 out; easy, won at Wilton 3m ptp gf in Mar beating Ten More (12-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Gather Round 14-1 (12-0) Strugg 13; to, 7th of 12, well behind Swingbridge (12-0) at Bicester with Whaddon Chase 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Gentle Duke 40-1 (12-0) Midfield, under pressure 9th, soon weakened, pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Bound For Glory (11-9) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Legal Legend 7-4 (12-0) Hdwy 12; led 14; drvn out, won at Cottesmore 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Gonalston Cloud (12-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mr Mercurial (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leader, mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Bound For Glory (11-9) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gs in Mar.
Paddy B 14-1 (12-0) (h) stdy hdwy 14; wknd bet last 2, 5th of 15, 40l behind Minellacelebration (11-7) at North Ledbury 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Miss Tilly Oscar (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden after last, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Rolling Dough (9-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec '13.
