in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led, jumped left and headed 5th, hung left after, kept on one pace to go 3rd from last
mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, in command 2 out, wandered approaching last, driven out flat
chased leader, ridden and tracked winner after 3 out, kept on
chased leader, led 5th to 3 out, soon hung left, ran wide bend after, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out
towards rear, ridden and hit 7th, stayed on same pace from approaching 2 out
held up, ridden and lost touch 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, hit 4th, weakened 6th, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Connak could hardly have won with any more ease than when successful at Chepstow last month and it is hard to get away from the Alner's runner, who gets the vote ahead of Blue Hurricane and Cheating Chance. The last mentioned represents the in-form yard of Andy Turnell and could be of interest back over hurdles today, having been running over fences previously this term. Henrietta Knight's Musical Chairs has been well held in all starts so far and is hard to recommend, while The Jolly Spoofer has given no real sign of encouragement so far. Blue Hurricane is surely better than he showed on his debut and has to be considered but it is hard to get away from Connak, who gets the vote.
Blue Hurricane (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, in touch, hampered on bend 5f out, soon lost place, eased final 2f, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Big Eared Fran (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Caspar of Tarsus (IRE) 200-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out, 5th of 12, well behind Qrackers (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Cheating Chance (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 8th, closer order 9th, headway 11th, led 5 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Leading Attraction (10-9) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
Musical Chairs (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 20l behind Isn't That Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Thebelloftheball 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jaunty Flight (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, brief effort 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Pocket Aces (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Lady Of Rathcannon (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, in touch over 7f out, weakened over 5f out, 11th of 14, 21l behind Carole's Legacy (10-7) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (6) gf in Mar.
Connak (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-3) Held up, headway 5th, led 3 out, quickly drew clear, won at Chepstow 3m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Buck The Legend (11-0) by 18l, 16 ran.
