mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, ran on flat
mid-division, headway after 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, took narrow lead going well approaching last, easily
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, blundered 2nd, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no further progress
led 1st to 4th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, lost place approaching 3rd, no danger after
always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
never better than mid-division
held up towards rear on outside, slipped on bend after 4th, headway approaching 2 out, ran on flat
held up, headway 2 out, never near leaders
chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after 7th
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
with leaders, led 4th to 5th, ridden next, weakened approaching 3 out
mistake 5th, always in rear
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon struggling
mid-division, jumped slowly and weakened 6th
held up towards rear, some headway after 2 out, no danger when brought down last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well towards finish
chased leaders to 6th
in rear when stumbled 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, no chance when hampered last
mid-division, headway 7th, driven along approaching 3 out, no danger when fell last
in touch until 5th, behind when hampered and unseated rider last
led to 1st, prominent, led 5th to 6th, hit 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, hung left flat, stayed on
held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 4th and staying on when ran out 2 out
always prominent, led 6th, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
As with every year this event is wide open, with Sky's The Limit, No Where To Hyde and Ungaro three possible winners, however we like the look of Paddy The Piper, who can land a blow for the north. Lennie Lungo's nine-year-old has been laid out for this contest having had just one outing this season. It was back in November and he wasn't given a hard time when his chance had gone in the race won by Covent Garden. His best effort last season came at Ayr when a close up third behind Ladalko off a mark of 138. He has been given a great chance by the handicapper this afternoon and can go close at a massive price. Sky's The Limit warrants every respect having easily beaten some decent types at Fairyhouse last time. He would prefer more cut in the ground but should still be in the shake up. No Where To Hyde had no answer to the finishing burst of Jazz Messenger last time but that is a decent performer and off a nice racing weight Christy Roche's charge has place claim's. Another challenger from the north is the Keith Reveley trained Ungaro. He returned to winning ways in great style at Sandown last month and can go well despite a hike in the weights. Dom D'Orgeval and Two Miles West are two other to consider for each-way purposes, but on his best form Paddy The Piper is very well treated and he gets our sporting vote.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb beating Victom's Chance (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sky's The Limit (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Moderate 4th, mistake 2nd, improved into 3rd 5 out, close 2nd after 3 out, led next, drew clear before last, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hdl hvy in Dec beating Sirius Storm (11-4) by 15l, 9 ran.
Dancing Bay 12-1 (11-3) Chased winner, no impression approaching 2 out, went left last, 2nd of 6, 9l behind My Way de Solzen (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Pole Star 11-4 (11-2) In rear, weakened from 8th, 5th of 6, 22l behind Green Tango (11-7) at Southwell 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leading pair, headway after 6th, hit 7th, driven next and soon beaten, 5th of 6, 46l behind My Way de Solzen (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mughas (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in 4th place, ridden before 7th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 22l behind My Way de Solzen (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Desert Air (JPN) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place and outpaced after 5th, kept on again after 2 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Briareus (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Prins Willem (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) In touch in chasing group, lost place 7th, no chance when hampered 2 out, 6th of 8, 41l behind The French Furze (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Strangely Brown (IRE) 11-8 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd halfway, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Emotional Moment (11-10) at Gowran Park 3m hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Jan.
Nathos (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Held up last, ridden and struggling before 7th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind My Way de Solzen (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Phar Bleu (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 31l behind Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Valley Ride (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Nine De Sivola (9-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Afrad (FR) 3-1fav (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, beaten before next, 8th of 20, 16l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Il Duce (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 16l behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Royal Paradise (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next, last of 5, 33l behind Solerina (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 hvy in Dec.
Akilak (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 12, 10l behind dhtrs Buck Whaley (10-6) & Rayshan (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Fait Le Jojo (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, every chance after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 20, 16l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Only Vintage (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, well behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3rd, hit 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-4) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb.
Ungaro (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, steady headway from 7th, led soon after 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb beating Sh Boom (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Paddy The Piper (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division, hit 7th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 6th of 12, 15l behind Covent Garden (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Nov.
Good Thyne Jack (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, headway into 2nd after 3 out, led last, edged clear close home, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb beating Contact Dancer (10-9) by 2l, 17 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead soon after last, headed and not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Senorita Rumbalita (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
No Where To Hyde (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Mid-division, slightly hampered 5 out, 5th and pushed along 4 out, improved into 2nd approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, no impression from last, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Jazz Messenger (11-12) at Navan 2m hdl sft in Jan.
Two Miles West (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Manorson (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 8l behind Acambo (10-9) at Windsor 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Verasi 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place 5th, stayed on under pressure after 2 out, kept on well run-in, finished well, 3rd of 21, 3/4l behind Victram (9-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Fair Question (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leader and keen, led 5th, ridden after 3 out, hung left flat, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Olaso (10-13) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
All Star (GER) 16-1 (10-2) Prominent until weakened before 3 out, 17th of 20, 39l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Inch Pride (IRE) 5-1co-fav (11-5) In touch, headway after 4 out, effort next, 4th and held when fell at the last in race won by Covent Garden (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
