with leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well flat
led, headed approaching 5th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, took closer order 8th, pushed along before 3 out, made no impression from 2 out
mid-division, nudged along after 9th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, slow 4th, headway approaching 3 out, awkward 2 out, ridden for effort before last, kept on one pace flat
held up in midfield, dropped to rear and pushed along after 7th, soon struggling, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed before last, ran on well flat
tracked leaders, bad mistake 8th, ridden along and struggling before 3 out where awkward, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along after 9th, no extra from 3 out
midfield, headway approaching 8th, ridden for effort 3 out, made no impression from 2 out
raced keenly in midfield, ridden to challenge 3 out where stumbled on landing, plugged on one pace from 2 out
prominent, led approaching 5th, pushed along and headed before 3 out, no extra from 2 out
held up in mid-division, ridden along before 3 out, soon beaten
Poetic Rhythm was a high-class novice but hasn’t won since landing the 2017 Challow Hurdle. Espion had only three rivals when scoring here in March but is open to any amount of improvement this season. Captain Drake was second in the Midland Grand National here on his last appearance but this may be a pipe-opener. Supremely Lucky was also chasing last season but is a course and distance winner and wears cheekpieces for the first time having undergone wind surgery since last seen. Haul Away is another reverting to hurdles while the mare Martha Brae makes her handicap debut. Summer Name has been lightly raced for his age but ILLEGAL MODEL is even less exposed and the way he spread-eagled a decent field at Lingfield in January, despite spreading a plate, suggests he might have a bright future at this level.
Captain Drake (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, progress 17th, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, 3 lengths 2nd when blundered badly last, not recover, 2nd of 14, 18l behind Truckers Lodge (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Dingo Dollar (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, lost place before 3 out, well behind when not fluent 2 out, ran into the back of a horse being pulled up and unseated rider before last, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Supremely Lucky (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Jumped well, disputed lead until chased winner 3 out, no extra last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Encounter A Giant (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Chased leader to 5th, reminders after 6th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 14 1/4l behind Any Drama (12-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Illegal Model (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, switched right before 3 out, 2nd going well before 2 out, led 2 out, clear between last 2, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m 7f (4) hvy in Jan beating Springfield Fox (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Haul Away (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Raced in 2nd, left clear 2nd and ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, weakened before last, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Oscar Nomination (10-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) sft in Aug.
As I See It 7-1 (11-9) Well behind, tailed off when went badly left 7th, pulled up before 10th, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Espion (FR) 6-5fav (11-2) Held up 3rd, improved after 7th, mistake 3 out, went 2nd and wandered 2 out, shaken up to lead before last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) hvy in Mar beating Gustavian (11-8) by 11l, 4 ran.
Martha Brae 9-4 (11-4) Led, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed after next, mistake last, rallied closing stages, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Legends Ryde (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Mar.
The Eaglehaslanded (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) In touch on outside, reminder after 8th, chased leader after 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Eragon De Chanay (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Summer Name (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 6th, went 3rd soon after 6th until long run between last 2, weakened soon after, 6th of 14, dist behind Shishkin (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Kingsplace (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, 4th and beaten 2 out, weakened after, 4th of 12, 17l behind Trincomalee (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb.
Midnight Sapphire 16-5 (10-12) Prominent, led before 2 out, soon headed, lost 2nd last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind France De Reve (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
