This looks an ideal opportunity for Lysander to open his account over hurdles with Heavy Weather and Pearl Fisher rated the main dangers. Lysander was useful on the flat in Germany and has run some promising races over hurdles without ever managing to get his nose in front. He comes here having run into a place at Stratford and Wincanton. Those races were stronger looking affairs than this and if he can handle the ground he will take all the beating here. Pearl Fisher spent the winter running on the flat without much success but his recent second over hurdles behind Yenaled in heavy ground at Market Rasen earlier this month makes him a leading player in a weak-looking race. The main threat to our selection could be the mount of Mick Fitzgerald, Heavy Weather. He was second in a heavy-ground; Fontwell, maiden in February and a reproduction of that form would see him go close here. However, our selection remains, Lysander.
Back Among Friends 10-1 (11-5) Led, jumping left, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 47l behind Dream Alliance (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
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).
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Raced wide in mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Bak To Bill (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Heavy Weather (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Led, hampered by loose horse and headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 4th of 12, 19l behind Blaeberry (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Hero Again (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 9th 3 out, kept on well, 4th of 18, 12l behind Nutmeg Tune (10-13) at Thurles 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Mar.
Lysander (GER) 14-1 (10-2) In touch, headway 5th, ridden to lead 3 out, hit 2 out, headed soon after, one pace, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Rojabaa (10-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Fair View (GER) 12-1 (9-7) Led to 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 18l behind Upright Ima (9-13) at Warwick 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Pearl Fisher (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 1st, led again after 3 out, headed next, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Yenaled (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
