keen in midfield, hit 1st and 2nd, led after 5th, headed after 4 out and weakened quickly
held up in rear, hit 7th, ridden after 4 out, never a factor
towards rear, some progress 7th, pushed approaching 3 out, soon outpaced
slightly worse than midfield, awkward 4 out, chased leaders 3 out where slow, awkward last, stayed on well
prominent, nudged after 4th, pushed to challenge for lead before 3 out, outpaced before mistake 2 out, awkward last, stayed on
midfield, pushed towards rear before 6th, ridden before 3 out, well beaten
contested lead, tracked leader after 5th, led after 4 out, challenged 3 out, headed last, stayed on behind easy winner
contested lead, tracked leaders after 5th, hit 4 out, pushed to challenge for lead 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on one pace
in rear, awkward 4 out, progressed to midfield, stayed on without threatening leaders
midfield, nudged to challenge for lead 3 out, jumped last in front, quickened clear
mid-division, towards rear jumping 4 out, pushed before 3 out, stayed on at one pace
This looks a bit more competitive than the first division. South Terrace had point-to-point and bumper experience in Ireland and showed ability. Across The Channel won a maiden point at the end of last year and has since joined Philip Hobbs. Martinhal won a Huntingdon bumper in March on his debut under Rules and Inca Rose split a couple of useful types on the same track a few days later. Fan Club Aulmes started favourite for a Newton Abbot bumper last month and Dan Skelton has wasted no time putting him over hurdles but the experience of KILBROOK could be the deciding factor. Jonjo O’Neill’s runner still looked a bit unfurnished last year but ran well for third at Newbury and will have strengthened up in the interim.
Across The Channel (FR) 9-4 (11-11) Pr, 1l 2nd 1/2way, clsr 2nd 5out, gng well 2out, jnd ldr last & chall, ko strongly finish, won at Mainstown 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Junior Rattler (11-11) by nk, 12 ran.
Cockney Beau (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Led until over 4f out, lost 2nd 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 9, dist behind Lubeat Foras (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) sft in Jan.
Fan Club Aulmes (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, ridden inside final 2f, soon every chance, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Lady Jane P (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in Sep.
French Paradoxe (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Led, headed 6f out, lost place over 3f out, 12th of 15, dist behind Third Time Lucki (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Inca Rose 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 10f out, 2nd and every chance 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, plugged on and went 2nd again final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Faivoir (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Kenyan Cowboy (IRE) 18-5 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind On My Command (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) gf in Sep.
Kilbrook (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, 3rd after next, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Sir Valentine (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Martinhal (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7f out, led on inside 3f out, soon clear, pushed out, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Mar beating Gumbo Flyer (10-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
South Terrace (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2f out, kept on under pressure in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Song Of Earth (12-0) at Wexford 2m hvy in Mar.
Valleres (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, closed from 6f out, went 3rd inside final 2f, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 9 1/4l behind Boothill (11-2) at Kempton 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Alright Marlene (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, slightly outpaced 4 out, ridden 3 out, took third 2 out, never on terms, 3rd of 8, dist behind Young Lieutenant (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
