held up in rear, headway 3f out, switched left over 2f out, hung left and chased winner over 1f out, soon bumped, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
led after 1f, headed 10f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway 6f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, pressed leader, led 10f out until 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard in rear, struggling 5f out
held up in touch, raced keenly, led 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, lost place over 3f out, no impression after
in rear, soon niggled along, stayed on from over 2f out, never nearer
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, hung left and beaten 2f out
prominent, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, lost place 7f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, stuggling 3f out
took keen hold in mid-division, effort 3f out, no impression
held up towards rear, hung right and headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, no impression over 1f out
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden and weakening when hung left over 2f out
held up in rear, effort under pressure over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division on inside, met trouble on occasions, ridden over 3f out, struggling over 2f out
Don't Turn Bach will be popular however narrow preference is for DARE ME who is owned by a man who loves to win these races; Amuse Me, Tetlami and Royal Swain may be the best of the rest. Phillip Hobbs' son of Bob Back was well-held at Cheltenham last time out but he had previously impressed when winning under a penalty at Ffos Las in February. This track should suit him more and the yard remain in good form. Dream Sam and Royal Swain clashed last time and there wasn't much between them at Doncaster, Don't Turn Bach has his first start on these shores and a first run for Paul Nicholls, whilst Eastern Supreme has struggled under his penalty for winning on debut at Market Rasen. Fishoutofwater impressed on debut at Hereford and could be anything, Megastar was one place ahead of the selection at Cheltenham, whilst Priceless Art won well at Stratford and along with the unbeaten Royal Swain gives Alan Swinbank a very strong hand. The unbeaten trio of Tale Of Tanganyika, Millgen Bay and the impressive Rupert Lamb are all considered, however a bigger threat may be Tetlami. Nicky Henderson's gelding won at Cheltenham back on New Years' Day and looks sure to run well given the number of horses the yard could have sent here. The market should help guide, however marginal preference is for Dare Me.
Dare Me (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 24, 18l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Dear Sam (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Royal Swain (11-1) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Don't Turn Bach (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Close up in 2nd, led over 3f out, ridden from over 1f out, kept on under pressure, won at Leopardstown 2m N H flat in Dec beating Our Girl Salley (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Eastern Supreme (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Seren Rouge (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Fishoutofwater (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Always close up on outer, led over 1f out, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar beating Rose Of The Moon (11-3) by 5l, 16 ran.
Lundy Sky 13-2 (11-3) Led 1f, led again 9f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Mar beating Bally Legend (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Megastar 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place over 6f out, headway under pressure3f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on, no impression, 5th of 24, 18l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Mic's Delight (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Prominent on outside, slightly outpaced 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd over 1f out, edged left, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind L'accordioniste (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Neltara 18-1 (11-3) Made all, driven well clear over 2f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Mar beating Off Gallivanting (11-0) by 21l, 9 ran.
Priceless Art (IRE) 6-5fav (11-1) Chased leaders on outer, led over 2f out, kept on well driven out, won at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Mar beating Violin Davis (9-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 1-8fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3f, challenged 2f out, soon led and edged left, clear final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4-6yo) (4) std in Feb beating Battlefield Bob (11-4) by 6l, 5 ran.
Whispering Hills (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra in 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 13l behind Quel Esprit (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gs in Apr '09.
Amuse Me 3-1 (10-9) Made most, pushed clear from 3f out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb beating Stetson (10-9) by 8l, 12 ran.
Eagle Owl (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 6f out, challenged on bit over 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Rocks Rule (11-4) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
First Rock (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Chased leader, led 6f out, joined, ran green and hung left 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind There And Then (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4yo) (4) std in Feb.
Milgen Bay 13-8fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, led 3f out, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Amirico (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Royal Swain (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Held up in touch, went 2nd on bit 3f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar beating Dear Sam (11-12) by 1l, 15 ran.
Rupert Lamb 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, moving into 2nd on bit when not clear run and switched left 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, quickened clear final furlong, won at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb beating Vannin (10-9) by 8l, 9 ran.
Tale Of Tanganyika (FR) 3-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 2nd well over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb beating Allow Me (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Tetlami (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Always well placed, led over 1f out, asserted final furlong, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) sft in Jan beating Romulus D'artaix (10-12) by 4l, 15 ran.
