held up towards rear, headway after 6th, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, driven clear towards finish
slowly away, in rear, pushed along after 4th, well beaten after 6th, mistakes 3 out and 2 out
prominent, ridden after 6th, outpaced before 3 out, no extra when not fluent next
led, jumped right at times, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, 4th and one pace last
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace last
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, ridden and lost place after 6th, well beaten 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway when hit next, lost place before 2 out, well beaten when jumped right last
prominent, led 3 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
awkward and slowly away, in rear, put off by fallen hurdle when awkward 6th, never dangerous
Taroum had Acapulco Bay back in fourth when winning at Chepstow last month but the latter is 11lb better off today and entitled to get much closer, though Dai Burchell's gelding is still 11lb higher than when winning over course and distance in May last year. NEBULA STORM has picked up a penalty for winning a Plumpton novices' handicap 11 days ago but did it comfortably enough in the end and a little further improvement would make him hard to beat. Grand March was pulled up on his latest start in May but isn't out of this and Arden Dennis could sneak into the frame off a low weight.
Grand March 7-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out and pulled up, in a race won by Nothing Is Forever (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May, 11 ran.
Alberto's Dream 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, behind from 7th, 8th of 10, 47l behind Shelford (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Taroum (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced on long run between last 2, ridden to take 3rd before last, kept on, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Seas Of Green (10-13) at Stratford 2m Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (5) gd.
Hollywood All Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch in mid-division, closed 5th, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 5th of 11, 33l behind Mubrook (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Acapulco Bay 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, plugged on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 16l behind Taroum (10-13) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
Triple Eight (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked winner until ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind Brave Spartacus (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Nolecce 11-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on flat, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 19l behind Claude Carter (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep '12.
Nebula Storm (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Raced widest, held up towards rear, closer order 4th, smooth headway before 3 out, 2nd soon after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd beating Sadma (11-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Echo Foxtrot 20-1 (11-3) Prominent, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 12, 43l behind Barton Rose (12-2) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Mar.
Arden Denis (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Pressed winner until jumped slowly 3 out, soon struggling, well beaten 3 out, last of 5, 12l behind Be My Witness (9-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
