held up, headway chasing leaders 8th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened 4 out
made most until 6th, chased leaders, weakened 5 out, went right final 4
always behind, reminders and struggling after 10th, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway on outside chasing leaders 5 out, weakening when blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, lost place 10th, towards rear and never on terms after, tailed off
held up, headway chasing leaders 7th, 3rd and one pace from 4 out
soon chased winner, reached for 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, stayed on but not pace to challenge
chased leaders, blundered and lost place 8th, behind and struggling 10th, kept on run-in
held up in rear, hit 11th, pushed along in 7th after 5 out, blundered next, plugged on in 4th and blundered 2 out
chased leaders, led 6th, made rest, ridden and kept on well run-in
Groundunderrepair has disappointed so far over fences but is among the least exposed. Mercers Court remains in the handicapper’s grip but Newtown Lad followed up his win at Chepstow with a second at Fontwell and remains in good form. Tanit River would have claims on last season’s form and Never Up won over a shorter trip at Carlisle last month but really needs the ground much softer. FINGERONTHESWITCH is one of three previous course winners and good going suits. An absence since November isn’t overly concerning as he returns to action on a fair mark.
Mercers Court (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) With leader, led 4th, headed after 8th, led again 10th, headed before 4 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 26l behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Tanit River (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led until 13th, not fluent 5 out, weakened before next, soon pulled up, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Newtown Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (12-5) With leader, led after 1st to 15th, mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Uallrightharry (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Groundunderrepair (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, well beaten 12th, pulled up before last, 7th of 13, dist behind Arthur's Gift (11-12) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Silver Man 50-1 (10-6) Always in rear, behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway went 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 13 1/2l behind Present Man (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Blue Kascade (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Disputed lead until lost place 9th, mistake next, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Never Up (GER) 4-1 (11-8) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 4 out, left clear next, ridden right out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Instingtive (10-8) by 8l, 6 ran.
Lough Salt (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Close up, tracked leaders halfway, ridden 4 out, driven and stayed on to press for 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Flowery (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Bafana Blue 11-2 (12-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, lost place and ridden along, not fluent next, soon well behind, 8th of 10, dist behind Chasma (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
