always behind
in touch, ridden after 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 6th, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after next
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
led to approaching 1st, chased leader until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after next
prominent and keen, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakening when mistake last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakening when mistake last
prominent and keen, led approaching 1st, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened flat
held up, headway after 6th, led on bit 2 out, ridden clear after last, eased towards finish
always towards rear, hit 4th, behind when mistake 2 out
soon mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
keen, in touch, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when hit last
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat never dangerous
The opening handicap-hurdle on Grand National day looks to be between, Wellbeing, Noble Request, Tarlac and Neveesou with Wellbeing getting our vote. The Philip Hobbs-stable are bang in form at the moment and the race looks to be between his two runners and it is difficult to choose between them but Wellbeing was top-class on the flat, he was fifth in the 2000 Derby and beat Sakhee in a group race at Deauville. His hurdle form has been consistent if not spectacular. He comes here seeking a hat-trick of wins having won competitive, handicap-hurdles at Exeter and Newbury. He looks a progressive handicapper, can handle the ground, travels well and has bags of speed. Richard Johnson rides Noble Request for the Hobbs-stable and the jockey booking suggests that this five-year-old is the stables number one rather than our selection. However he has to give 15lbs to our selection and this could prove difficult in rain-softened ground. He was second in the County Hurdle last month but it did not look a quality renewal and he has gone up six pounds for that second. Neveesou was second in a Warwick handicap hurdle in February and unless he has improved dramatically he will not be winning this. The Nicky Henderson-trained Tarlac was group class on the flat in Germany and won a moderate handicap-hurdle on his penultimate start at Sandown. He was sent off favourite in the Imperial Cup at that course last month and finished a close up fifth, he should run a good race for Tony McCoy and has strong place claims at a potentially, decent price. However, the race looks between the two Philip Hobbs-runners and we will side with Wellbeing.
Admiral (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Always behind, 27th of 29, well behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Dusky Warbler 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, badly hampered 5th, no danger after, 14th of 29, 15l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Noble Request (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, still plenty to do after 3 out, headway on outside after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 29, 2 1/2l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Astronomic 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders until weakened approaching 9th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Green Tango (11-7) at Southwell 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden and beaten, 9th of 17, 15l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Feb.
Bongo Fury (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th and took closer order, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 15, 10l behind McBain (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Neveesou (FR) 5-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon led, headed after 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Gods Token (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Beautiful Vision (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 5 out, ridden before straight, dropped to 4th and no impression when bad mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 16l behind Mounthenry (11-12) at Limerick 2m nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Bound 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 4th, led travelling well 2 out, kept on gamely under pressure until worn down final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, hd behind Motorway (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Tarlac (GER) 9-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, driven to challenge 2 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 21, 3 1/2l behind Victram (9-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar.
Lord Henry (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, led 2 out, ridden, headed before last, weakened flat, 7th of 29, 10l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Monte Cinto (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, no danger, 6th of 21, 7l behind Victram (9-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar.
Wellbeing 8-11fav (11-7) In touch, tracked leading pair approaching 2 out, led run-in, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Idian Mix (10-2) by 3l, 14 ran.
Pepe Galvez (SWE) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, driven along approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Motorway (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Salut Saint Cloud 25-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 4th to mid-division, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 20 ran.
Saif Sareea 85-40jt-fav (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Dhehdaah (11-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Double Vodka (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Auenmoon (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Classic Approach (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, hit 4th, closed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, 36l behind Darrias (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
