held up mid-division, weakened and eased over 5f out
never a factor
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up behind and never dangerous
held up, headway on outside halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f
behind, headway 7f out, weakening when pulled up over 2f out
in touch to halfway, weakened over 4f out
in touch, headway 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace
tracked leaders, led 6f out, hard ridden from 2f out, kept on gamely, all out
mid-division, ridden and headway 4f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
never better than mid-division
held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden and no impression
disputed until 7f out, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on but no extra close home
disputed for 6f, no danger after
held up, headway when hampered 7f out, no impression and eased after
mid-division, headway 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
The Irish have an excellent record in this with no less than eight winners in the last decade but Martin Pipe could buck the trend with the exciting Liberman. The David Johnson-owned gelding had shown respectable form in bumpers in his native Ireland prior to making his debut for current connections over course and distance in November when creating a most favourable impression behind Rhinestone Cowboy. In a field of 24, Liberman looked the likely winner when moving smoothly to the front with five furlongs to race only to be caught close home and beaten a length behind Jonjo O'Neill's charge. The form looks solid with the pair clear of the remainder and the selection is reported in good order despite the lack of a recent outing. Willie Mullins does particularly well in this heat and saddles a strong raiding party of four including the well regarded Galway winner Royal Alphabet and the exciting Davenport Democrat, who should give a good account after an impressive victory at Fairyhouse last month. Nicky Henderson's Back To Ben Alder looked a class act when hacking up on his Kempton debut in late January while Best mate's full brother, Cornish Rebel, is another leading contender following his impressive Newbury success last month.
