led to 1st, soon steadied, held up, not fluent 4th or 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leader until approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, regained 2nd before 2 out, switched left approaching last, led flat, headed close home
led, hit last, ridden, headed flat, led close home
prominent, chased winner approaching 5th until before 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
Prince Du Seuil would appear to be the obvious one here with Arctic Wings and Pickamus the dangers. We'll dispense with Blue Rebel and Dar Es Salaam as both have something to prove with regard to heavy ground and ability. Pickamus made a pleasing bow over hurdles at Uttoxeter in a race in which Prince Du Seuil was pulled up having been sent off as favourite. Pickamus was a long way below that form in February but his yard was badly out of form at the time; it's going better now and he may well get back on track. Arctic Wings, a 70 rated Flat handicapper, never featured on his hurdling debut at Ludlow but battled on well to win his second start at Newbury. He shouldn't be knocked too much but the form may not amount to a great deal. Following that blip at Uttoxeter, the selection then produced his best run to date when making the touted Chantaco pull out all the stops to win a Taunton maiden. The form is nothing to get too excited about but the third has run well since and Prince Du Seuil should be up to winning a race of this nature providing that he acts on today's ground.
Blue Rebel (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped slowly 1st, pushed along approaching 4th, blundered 5th, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 18l behind Your Amount (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Pickamus (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, effort 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 40l behind Blackthorn Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden approaching last, kept on under strong pressure flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Chantaco (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, good headway after 6th, led 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Kanonkop (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dar Es Salaam 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, behind from 4th, 7th of 8, 46l behind Light Yield (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
