chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, wandered, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken
always towards rear
chased leaders until weakened 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led 2 out, kept on well, driven out
took keen hold, led, not fluent 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, hit last
mid-division, until weakened 3 out
always behind
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, pecked 2nd, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again from next
mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, stayed on again from 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace
Guymur gets the vote here with Compton Star and Shankly Bond others to consider. The selection looked the most likely winner last time when he finished fourth here behind Femme D'Avril, but having travelled very well he did not find as much as expected off the bridle. That would be a slight concern again today but this is not a strong race and he looks the percentage call. Compton Star was disappointing last time but he will be suited by the return to this faster surface and he should be thereabouts at the finish. Shankly Bond ran no sort of race at Hereford last time but this is a much weaker event and he remains lightly-raced over hurdles so it could be dangerous to dismiss his claims too lightly. Rapscallion was a little disappointing last time but he would have each-way claims on his best form. However, he is becoming frustrating and we are happy to stick with Guymur who should prove too strong for his rivals.
Rapscallion (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 20, 25l behind Final Bid (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Guymur (FR) 4-1fav (11-12) Prominent, challenged on bit approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, found nil, 4th of 16, 3l behind Femme D'avril (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Buttress 14-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, well behind Elgar (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Working Late 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, dropped to 6th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, eased straight, 11th of 16, 25l behind Bullhill Flyer (10-1) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hacp hdl gs in Sept.
Escobar (POL) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, lost touch from 8th, 4th of 6, 39l behind High Calibre (11-8) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Tytheknot 14-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bishop's Bridge (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
The Thunderer 20-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 10, 33l behind Safari Adventures (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
A Sea Commander (GER) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 41l behind The Real Deal (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Narlen (CZE) 20-1 (11-2) Led 2nd, headed approaching 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 44l behind dhtrs Thunder Rock (11-5) & Santando (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Fontenailles (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Prominent until 6th, chased leaders until weakened 10th, 6th of 9, 43l behind Charlton Kings (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Dec.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 4th, weakened approaching next, 6th of 15, 35l behind Khasab (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Primed Up (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden after 4th, soon weakened, 11th of 17, well behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Photographer (USA) 25-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 15, 17l behind Strawberry (11-3) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft.
Compton Star 3-1fav (10-8) In touch, hampered 1st, slightly outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Viscount Rossini (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Castlemainevillage (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In touch and keen, lost place 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 20l behind Tisseman (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sturbury 100-1 (10-7) In touch when fell 5 out in race won by Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
