chased leader, joined leader 3rd, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, jumped badly right last, hung right but kept on flat
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, out paced approaching last, hampered last, kept on flat
pulled early and held up, ridden 5th, soon no chance
led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakend 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leader 2 out, challenged on bit last, soon led, driven out flat, readily
prominent, hit 1st ridden 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3f out
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last
held up, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3rd, weakening when badly hampered 3f out
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out
pulled early and held up, fell 3 out
I'msingingtheblues is selected ahead of Kemperley Green and Soixante. Paul Nicholls' horses have been a little in-and-out at present but that could ensure that the Pistolet Bleu starts at a bigger price than his form entitles. A winner of a bumper over course-and-distance, his chances are obvious if the ground holds as published. Kemperley Green sets the benchmark off an official rating of 112. Although displaying a tendancy to hang right, his Uttoxeter win on soft ground was a solid run under those conditions. Soixante is from the family of Take The Stand. He put up an encouraging effort on debut at Towcester and is certainly one to keep an eye upon. Bartercard showed glimpses of ability earlier in his career so has to be watched in the market. County Zen has let down backers on three starts although Richard Johnson is here rather than the big meeting at Aintree. Indefensible could literally be anything. I'msingingtheblues has showed enough at bumper level to suggest he has ability and at the likely odds, he appears to be worth a play.
Kempley Green (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Always prominent, led 7th, jumped right and mistake 2 out, edged right flat, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Berings Express (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bartercard (USA) 9-2 (11-5) Always towards rear, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by dhtrs Thunder Rock (11-5) & Santando (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) Lord Americo gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Woodfield Gale.
County Zen (FR) 4-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Bertie May (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (4) gs in Mar.
Double The Trouble 66-1 (11-0) Held up, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Darizan (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Fixed Interest (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 33l behind Presenting Copper (10-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Generous Star 9-2 (11-0) In touch and keen, ridden and close up over 2f out, edged left under pressure and kept on, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Outlandish (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) gf in Sept.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, steady headway from over 3f out, led just inside 2f out, hung left but ran on well, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar beating Important Business (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Indefensible (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden when slightly hampered over 3f out to chase leaders, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Aya (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in May.
Kilcannon Supreme (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 4f out, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 17l behind Ambrosinni (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Aug.
Rudinero (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, headway when not fluent 6th, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Classic Fiddle (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Soixante (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, led 2f out, no extra when headed 1f out, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Gypsy Scholar (10-10) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Sykalino (FR) Robin Des Champs gelding out of French hurdles winner Et Que Ca Saute.
Kandora 150-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 13th of 17, well behind Karello Bay (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
