towards rear, struggling halfway
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 4 out to chase leaders, ridden and effort after next, switched left approaching last, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along 6th, ridden 4 out, no impression from next
mid-division, reminders 4th, struggling from next
led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied after 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead towards finish
mid-division, headway 6th, effort when not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, headed towards finish, no extra
led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders to 4th, soon behind
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, no extra flat
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, headway under pressure next, stayed on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 4th and in touch, pushed along 4 out, gradually weakened after next
Plenty of chances and in a competitive heat, Oscardeal is marginally preferred to Tarotino and The Sawyer. Oscardeal routed a fair field at Southwell last time out and with the former chaser liking to mix it from the off, he should find conditions at Haydock Park to his liking. Charlie Pogson's horses are running well and with Adam taking 5lbs off, there is a lot to like about him inspite of the big field. Tarotino is likely to have been aimed for this by the ever-shrewd Nicky Henderson. Not disgraced in a Grade 3 at Sandown, he does hold The Sawyer on that line of form. Mr Strachan does have the burden of top weight but connections thought enough of him to go for the Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham. That run should be forgotten as he ran loose before the race got under way.Sharp Reply ran disappointingly at Wetherby but may have been done for by a false pace. A true run race would play very much to his strengths. Of the remainder, Mister Potter has plenty of experience of the track, while Or Jaune is watched in the market. A competitive race deserving of the prize money offered and Oscardeal is recommended at the likely odds.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Hit 6th, always towards rear, 16th of 20, well behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Anglicisme (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, well behind Supreme Cara (10-8) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Nevertika (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, kept on late, 4th of 9, 32l behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Mar.
The Sawyer (BEL) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and still disputing 3rd 2 out, mistake and weakened last, 7th of 16, 14l behind Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Tarotino (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, no impression on front pair, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 16, 7l behind Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Oscardeal (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Made all, clear 8th, unchallenged, won at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Santando (11-13) by 29l, 10 ran.
Mister Potter 4-7fav (11-9) Prominent, led and hit 3 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Sharkeys Dream (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Or Jaune (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Never reached beyond mid-division, 8th of 16, 15l behind Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Sharp Reply (USA) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 5l behind Ring The Boss (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Led, headed after 3 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Arctic Echo (11-10) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Stoop To Conquer (11-2) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Camden George (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Ring The Boss (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Hill Forts Timmy 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Marcus (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Youll Do For Me (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, in rear and struggling after 3 out, 12th of 16, 34l behind Albertas Run (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Lord Rosskit (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Tomenoso (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Prominent, chased winner approaching 4 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Double Default (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
