held up, hit 11th, headway 13th, fell 17th
led 2nd, soon clear, reminder 9th, ridden and headed after 14th, soon no chance
led to 2nd, chased leader, hit 6th, led approaching 15th, headed approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat
in touch, not fluent 4th, weakened 17th
held up, headway 9th, ridden and every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders until fell 18th
in touch, ridden 17th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra
YARDBIRD is marginally preferred to Hermano Cordobes and Cornish Sett. Alan King's course winner is no more than fairly handicapped but this venue suits him well and this is a decent opportunity for him to have a crack at a valuable prize. He's not got a bad strike rate for one with his ability and should be primed to run a big race. Cornish Sett and Naunton Brook were amongst the also rans in the Grand National and may have similar targets as their long term objectives this term. The handicapper has given both runners chances though and they cannot be ignored. Tana River won impressively over course and distance a couple of years back and is slipping back to a more realistic mark but Hermano Cordobes could be a horse heading in the other direction. He beat all bar a smart sort in a novice chase at Chepstow last time suggesting that there are races to be won with him back in handicap company but we prefer the claims of the seasoned Yardbird.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Always behind, 12th of 40, well behind Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd in Apr.
Naunton Brook 66-1 (10-10) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 19th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Tana River (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led to 3rd, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tango Royal (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Ma Yahab 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 13th, soon beaten and blundered badly 2 out, 4th of 8, well behind Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Yardbird (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Herecomesthetruth (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) gd.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 16th, ridden approaching 5 out, went 4th 4 out until next, weakened, 6th of 12, 47l behind Snoopy Loopy (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Mid-division, steady headway from 13th, kept on under pressure to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Seymar Lad (9-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
