led, headed before 3 out, no chance with winner next, lost 2nd towards finish
chased clear leading trio, closed to dispute well held 3rd when hit 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, never any chance with very easy winner
always behind, never on terms, tailed off when blundered 3 out
in last pair, never on terms, ridden and struggling 4 out, plugged on from next, never on terms
tracked leader, led travelling well before 3 out, came clear next, very easily
took keen hold, chased leading pair, ridden outpaced and no impression before 3 out, blundered and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after
in last pair, not fluent 4th, went poor 5th 4 out until struggling before next, tailed off
pulled hard early stages, held up in 5th and off the pace, hit 5th, ridden and weakened 4 out
raced in 4th and off the pace, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
RED MERLIN has got his act together now and looks the one to beat. He rattled up a quick double last month, winning at Doncaster before following up at Hexham, and Donald McCain's charge should have no trouble dispatching today's rivals. Jack The Gent was in good form at the turn of the year but has been below his best since. Bumper winner Little Hercules scored on his hurdling debut at Musselburgh in February with today's rival Toledo Gold six lengths behind but both will need to improve to trouble the selection.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leader, led between 3rd and 4th, soon clear with 2 others, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 12l behind Alta Rock (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Little Hercules (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Raced kkenly, tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to challenge last, led flat, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Master Beau (11-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
Fred Grass 250-1 (10-11) Mid-division, effort approaching 2 out, never on terms, 9th of 13, 28l behind Flinty Bay (11-6) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Provost 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 37l behind City Ground (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Red Merlin (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader, went 2nd before 3 out, led and going after next, drew clear on bit flat, very easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov stks (4) gd in Mar beating Paddy Partridge (11-6) by 10l, 5 ran.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led and keen, soon clear, headed and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Flinty Bay (11-2) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Wicked Streak (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Mycenean Prince (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
French Seventyfive 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden to challenge, weakened flat, 11th of 13, 37l behind Bogside (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Seam Of Diamonds 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 14, 24l behind Moscow Mischief (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Exit To Freedom 100-1 (10-13) In rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Higgy's Ragazzo (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
