held up, always towads rear, tailed off 6th
in touch, ridden after 6th, beaten 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made all, ridden clear 2 out, stayed on
mid-division, struggling 5th, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, weakening when hit 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, 7 lengths down and beaten when fell last
mid-division, headway when fell 5th
chased leader, ridden after 6th, beaten 2 out, hampered last
mistake 2nd, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place when jumped slowly 4th, tailed off
took keen hold towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, went 3rd flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is one of the tougher puzzles to solve but we'll give PRINCE GEENO the chance to prove he's well treated ahead of Bosamcliff and Power Shared. David Pipe's Irish import is undeniably a rather speculative pick, having shown precious little since making a winning debut in a Naas bumper back in 2008. It's interesting that his then-new trainer opted to pitch the gelding straight into the Champion Bumper on his first start for the yard and he ran reasonably there when coming home in mid-division, an effort which suggested he'd be a bit better than a 97-rated hurdler in time. Three poor runs in maiden hurdles followed before the six-year-old was really well backed ahead of his handicap debut last time and whilst he disappointed that day it might be worth giving the horse another chance, especially if market support arrives once more. If our pick disappoints once more then Bosamcliff might be most likely to oblige. David Evans is having a stellar year and this one went close to improving it further when caught close home last time. On the face of it a 5lb higher mark and today's extra three furlongs might be enough to omit the filly, but she committed for home some way out last time and might be able to last home if ridden with some restraint. Power Shared is another to whom respect is afforded, having gone close to defying a penalty last time. The drop back to two miles and three furlongs shouldn't be a problem and neither will the ground be, so this relatively unexposed sort can go well despite having to race off a 9lb higher mark than when last successful. The booking of Timmy Murphy aboard handicap debutant Bagsy's Bridge looks interesting and Nick Gifford's horse should be watched for support, having been well held in some decent novice hurdles on varying ground. A market check is also needed with regards to Barney Curley's Northern Dune, who showed precious little last time but could remain capable of better. Split The Wind was held in an above-average seller last time but it's debatable whether the mare is up to winning off her official rating of 95 so a bigger threat might come from Rockandhardplace whose second back in February reads well in the context of today's race and suggests a mark of 98 might be fair. Whitewater Dash stays further than this and has form on soft but this will be his first outing since February so he'll perhaps need the run whilst Richard The Third showed more last time and might still be improving so is worthy of attention. Several unexposed sorts line up here and a market check is essential, but our preference at this stage is for Prince Geeno.
Omix D'or (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Always in rear, behind from 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Shadow Dancer (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Power Shared (IRE) 10-3fav (10-3) Held up in touch, improved from 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 3rd at last, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Shadow Dancer (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Rockandahardplace (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 13, 28l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Cool Bob (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced 3 out, weakening when blundered next, pulled up before last, in a race won by King Stanley (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft, 18 ran.
Prince Geeno (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind The Great Alfie (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Split The Wind (USA) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leader until 3rd, remained close up, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Whitewater Dash 8-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 10, well behind Or d'Oudairies (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Bosamcliff (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) In touch, led after 6th, clear when jumped right from 3 out, still 5 lengths ahead last, edged left flat, caught close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Jordan's Light (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Bagsy's Bridge (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 17, 20l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Immense (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden and weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Oscar Owen (10-6) at Newbury 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Richard The Third 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Romney Marsh (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (5) sft.
Abfabfong (IRE) 80-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden 5th, behind from 2 out, 9th of 11, well behind Ballinderry Park (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Hello You 7-1 (11-0) Towards rear, bumped 3rd, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 43l behind Runaround Sue (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun '08.
Red And White (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened from 5th, 5th of 7, 35l behind Manjam (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Northern Dune (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6th and never dangerous, 14th of 16, well behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Mrs Slocombe (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 20l behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf.
