prominent, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken final furlong
towards rear, headway 7f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on
always towards rear, no impression
always towards rear, struggling halfway, no impression
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace
prominent, led on bit over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, easily
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong
towards rear, ridden 4f out, no impression
Paul Nicholls has plenty of runners with chances on the Wincanton card and does so again in this concluding event, saddling the point-to-point winner Express Leader who has to be respected on his rules debut but marginal preference in a trappy finale with little form to go on is for ACORDEON, who gets the vote ahead of Double Target and Aldertune. The last mentioned is another trained by Paul Nicholls and it will be interesting to see how the market shapes up in comparison to Ruby Walsh's mount Express Leader. Alan King has his string in good form and has a reasonable record in bumpers so his runner Mill Folly has to be respected, while Colin Tizzard's Sergeant Harper ran better than was expected on his debut in a decent race at Newton Abbot and is another to consider. Anything that Nigel Twiston-Davies sends out in bumpers has to be considered and Double Target is no exception but Acordeon sets a reasonable standard and he gets the vote. (Nick Millard)
Acordeon (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden to lead 2f out, soon headed, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Time For Rupert (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Aldertune (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of an unraced mare.
Altolusso (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 8th of 15, 6l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd.
Baren De Doc (IRE) (12-0) pulled up 2 out in race won by Ocean Cowboy (12-0) at Bennettsbridge 3m ire ptp gs in Feb, 19 ran.
Bell Hill Lad Emperor Fountain gelding out of Mabel's Memory.
Chipless (IRE) Tel Quel gelding out of Emerald Forest.
Double Target Robertico gelding out of Frosty Light.
Express Leader Evensfav (11-7) A.p; led 9; drew clr 15; unchall, won at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Range Rover (12-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Manmoon (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Led until over 5f out, steadily lost place, tailed off, 6th of 14, 47l behind Celian (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Apr.
Mill Folly Simply Great gelding out of Mill Afrique.
Sergeant Harper (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Behind, ridden over 6f out, always towards rear, 5th of 14, 35l behind Diamond Harry (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf (2) sft in Mar.
Sheeian Rock (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 6f, pushed along and weakened 2f out, 9th of 16, 31l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in May.