tracked leader, led before 6th, made rest, not fluent 3 out, drew clear after next, well in command when not fluent last, very easily
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and one pace after next, soon no chance with easy winner
held up in touch on outside, went 3rd after 4 out, outpaced next, well held when went right 2 out, no chance with front pair
keen early, held up behind, mistake 1st, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced in modest 4th 3 out, soon ridden, plugged on same pace, no chance with leaders
led, headed before 6th chase winner until after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
held up behind, struggling 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, reminders after 4th, lost place before 6th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, outpaced approaching next, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
This should be dominated by the three previous winners in the race. Air Horse One blotted his copybook when jinking at the first at Sandown eight days ago and unseating Noel Fehily. Liam McKenna will be hoping to keep him on the straight and narrow here. Unsurprisingly, winning pointer Ballyoptic improved for the step up in trip at Ffos Las to get off the mark under Rules but the vote goes to POUGNE BOBBI. Still green when scoring by five lengths at Chepstow on his hurdling debut, Nicky Henderson's charge is bred to appreciate further than that 2m and can go on to better things.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out (usual 3 out), soon hard pressed, ridden and stayed on well final 150 yards, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb beating Potters Corner (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Pougne Bobbi (FR) 8-1 (11-3) In touch in 3rd, tracked leader 4 out, not fluent next, soon ridden, challenged after 2 out, led approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Robin Of Locksley (11-9) by 5l, 4 ran.
Air Horse One 6-4fav (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair until jinked sharply left and unseated rider 1st, at Sandown 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Evening Stanley (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, blundered 5th, soon under pressure, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Chased leader until after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 30 1/2l behind Barney Dwan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Hopefordebest (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling 7th, 7th of 16, dist behind Expedite (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Infinityandbeyond (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Tomngerry (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) hvy in Feb.
Magic Mustard (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, in 5th from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 16, dist behind Toby Lerone (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
North Hill (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, soon closed, 5th and no impression when not fluent 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 15, 26l behind Gwafa (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Feb.
The Model County (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 5th, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 11, 27l behind Space Oddity (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar.
