tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden 2 out, headed narrowly last, rallied gamely to soon lead again, ran on
in rear, pushed along 5th, ridden next, never on terms
keen close up, headway 3 out, every chance next, ridden to lead narrowly last, soon headed, kept on one pace
joined winner 2nd, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace flat
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
keen close up when blundered and unseated rider 1st
A 2m race over hurdles is hardly going to see Wakanda at his best. Nuts Well hasn’t raced over the smaller obstacles since April of last year but will enjoy conditions. Cornerstone Lad finished ahead of Only Orsenfoolsies on the Flat at Redcar last month and looks the pick of Micky Hammond’s pair but we’ll take a chance on a return to form for ARISTO DU PLESSIS, who is best of flat tracks like this and has had excuses in both starts this season. He beat Sakhee's City six lengths in this 12 months ago and is better off at the weights. Mcgowan's Pass would also have decent claims if fully wound-up.
Wakanda (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 11th of 16, dist behind Thomas Patrick (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Nuts Well 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out, at Carlisle 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Disputed 2nd behind clear leader, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off 5 out, pulled up next, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sakhee's City (FR) 66-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Black Mischief (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Cornerstone Lad 4-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Lopes Dancer (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Only Orsenfoolsies 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra last 50 yards, 8th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Lopes Dancer (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Melody Of Scotland (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Last pair, blundered 2nd, outpaced and struggling after 4 out, never a factor, last of 7, 30 1/4l behind Cornborough (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
McGowan's Pass 6-5fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Kelpies Myth (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Apr.
