mid-division, hampered 3rd, outpaced after 4 out, hard ridden and headway after 2 out, chased winner after last, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, chased winner approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, blundered 1st, not fluent 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, jumped right throughout, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leader, led after 4 out, kept on well from last, driven out
towards rear, pushed approaching 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, weakened after 4 out
held up in touch, chased leaders from 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace
This is a weak looking affair, one that should see BLUE MONSTER tough to beat; Flicka's Witness, Strictly Business and Total Submission rate the most interesting alternatives. New connections paid a hefty sum for our selection and it was no surprise to see him sent off favourite for a bumper on his first start for Nicky Henderson, despite having shown little in Ireland. The gelding made much of the running that day before tiring but is bred to improve for the switch to obstacles and should've come on plenty for that. Flicka's Witness arrives with a similar profile to our pick in that he's been fancied for a couple of bumpers but should do better with his attention switched to hurdles. With the forecast better ground also in his favour, Donald McCain's charge is rated the chief threat ahead of Strictly Business, who travelled well to a point before coming to grief on his jumping bow. He's capable of better but needs to improve, as does Total Submission who may lack the gears to win this but did show a likeable attitude when landing a bumper in dour fashion. Sphere belied marked weakness with a good run on her debut whilst Mr Chippy represents a shrewd yard but this opener is best left to Blue Monster.
Blue Monster (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Led, pushed along and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 14l behind Rock On Ruby (11-9) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Flicka's Witness (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Mid-division on outside, ridden, outpaced 5f out, never on terms, 4th of 11, 29l behind Eagle Owl (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Knottage Hill (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Master Fong (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Mr Chippy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, lost touch approaching 3 out, went remote 4th towards finish, 4th of 8, 24l behind Ring For Time (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Ruby Delta 16-1 (8-8) Keen early, mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened 3f out, 9th of 10, 17l behind Monaadi (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Feb '09 (flat).
Strictly Business 8-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, blundered 1st, hit 4th, fell 6th, in a race won by Stratigic Gale (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
The Grifter 66-1 (11-0) Jumped right, chased clear leading pair, 15 lenghts down 3 out, unable to close, 4th of 14, 11l behind Outside The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Total Submission 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inner, led halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon joined and under pressure, upsides inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to hold on well towards finish, won at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Mawsem (10-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jobekani (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway to go mid-division after 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 12, 13l behind Master Fong (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Overyou 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened 5f out, last of 14, well behind Instabella (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat (4) gd in Apr.
Sphere (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 15, 16l behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Iron Man of Mersey (FR) 33-1 (8-1) In touch when hampered on inside after 1f, mid-division after, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 19l behind Very Well Red (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Apr (flat).
