jumped well, made all and set good pace, 3 lengths clear last, hard ridden run-in, held on gamely, all out
chased winner, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, hit 4 out, lost 3rd next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in 4th place, not fluent 3rd and next, 3rd 3 out, ridden went 2nd run-in, stayed on well towards finish, not reach winner
always in rear, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off
CONTRE TOUS is still only five and has found his form in the past few weeks completing a double at Market Rasen. He has more to do but gets the vote over Doitforthevillage, who has been in excellent form all winter and was in touch and seemingly going well when falling at the fourth last at Aintree. I'dliketheoption has been beaten three times at a slightly lower level since winning at Ludlow in October but Innocent Girl, who was engaged at Wincanton yesterday, would have to be considered if turning up.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, steady headway when hampered, stumbled and fell just after 4 out, at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Contre Tous (FR) 10-11fav (12-7) Tracked leaders, disputing 2nd 8th, challenged 3 out, driven to lead flat, held on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Thankyou Very Much (11-12) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Held up, jumped left 2nd, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure to take 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Abidjan (FR) 5-1 (10-2) Mistakes always in rear, went right and blundered 8th, tailing off when blundered 4 out, went modest 4th after 2 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Fox Appeal (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Mr Cardle (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, slow next, rallied 4 out, weakened before 3 out, left in 3rd at last, 3rd of 7, 37l behind Pride Of Parish (12-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr.
Innocent Girl (IRE) 8-15fav (10-0) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd from 5th, nudged along and challenging from 2 out, hit last, ridden flat, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Listen To The Man (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
