held up mid-division, tracked leaders and going well approaching 2 out, soon led, clear when hit last, readily
with leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, in 5th and one pace when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, led 6th, headed 2 out, one pace
towards rear, ridden approaching 5th, soon tailed off
led to 3rd, weakened 3 out
Former point-to-point winner Herons Well is entitled to improve on his limited form over hurdles but does need to trouble the judge and this should lie between Quizzene and Abstract Art, with marginal preference for the former. The selection was useful on the flat and has taken time to come to hands with the winter game but Alan King's gelding has improved with each start over timber and put up his best performance to date when successful at Newbury last month. A reproduction of the form shown when beating Crescent Island that day may well suffice. Owen Brennan's Iron Hague has shown a consistent level of form but does need to improve to get involved at the finish, while a market move for hurdling newcomer Hose Thorns would be of interest. A bigger threat is likely to come from the Venetia Williams-trained Abstract Art, who looked decent when successful at Huntingdon in January but has failed to progress from that and a better bet looks to be Quizzene.
Abstract Art (USA) 15-8fav (11-7) Led until 5th, chased winner, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 20l behind Chantaco (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Quizzene (USA) 5-2 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, hit last, kept on, won at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Crescent Island (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Azreme 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 32l behind Sharp Dresser (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Dancing Partner (USA) 5-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out, regained lead last, all out, won at Stratford 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar beating Mitrash (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division and not fluent throughout, ridden 2 out, no impression, 12th of 17, 49l behind Dansimar (9-8) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Herons Well (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 5th of 11, 28l behind The Vicar (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Iron Hague (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Behind, headway 7th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 16l behind Pop (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Never Ask (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 4 out, behind from next, 9th of 11, well behind Isn't That Lucky (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Sunbolt (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, effort 7th, lost place 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Lady Pilot (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Hose Thorns (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led, headed over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Cape Tribulation (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Mysterious World (IRE) 300-1 (10-7) Always behind, 14th of 15, 48l behind Schelm (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Shady Olive 200-1 (10-0) Behind when hit 3rd, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Isn't That Lucky (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
