keen, jumped left 1st, chased leader, ridden 2 out, soon one pace
led, clear approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, soon one pace
held up mid-division, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
mid-division and not in contention when fell 3 out
mid-division until weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace flat
keen and prominent, weakening when badly hampered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, disputing 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
prominent, weakening when badly hampered 3 out
behind, bumped 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always mid-division, ridden 3 out, never nearer
Pearl Island is a tentative choice in a wide open seller, The Wife's Sister and Native Commander look the pick of the experienced runners. David Wintle is not averse to getting first time out winners and this modest flat performer could be good enough to go in on his hurdles debut. He has never lived up to his illustrious pedigree but does have recent winning form on the all-weather. This is not a race that should take too much winning and if he stays the trip he could be there or thereabouts. Native Commander and The Wife's Sister did battle at Uttoxeter last month with the last named coming out on top. On today's better ground and with a nice pull in the weights, Native Emperor may just gain his revenge. After Lent and Nebraska City are certainly two to watch in the betting, but no doubt Pearl Island will have been well schooled and looks worth a chance in a very modest contest.
After Lent (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, well behind Sunley Future (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Bold Trump 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Doris Souter (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug, 18 ran.
Griffin's Legacy 25-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, behind when fell 5 out in race won by Methodical (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Jan, 14 ran.
Honest Injun 16-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 13, 15l behind Giust In Temp (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
King of Scots 100-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, driven along 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind There Is No Doubt (10-12) at Towcester 1m 5f nhf (H) gd in Dec '04.
Kinkeel (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Led until 9th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, left poor 4th 2 out, refused last refused at the last in race won by Foxmeade Dancer (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Native Commander (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden approaching last, one pace last, 2nd of 17, 8l behind The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Nebraska City 40-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 13l behind Young Mick (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol in Jan (Flat).
Neophyte (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Pulled hard, led, hit 3rd and 7th, headed approaching next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Norma Hill (10-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jan, 9 ran.
Oktis Morilious (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sunley Future (10-13) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn clm hdl (5) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Pearl Island (USA) 11-4 (9-4) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 21l behind Desert Fury (8-13) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb (Flat).
Pipers Legend 150-1 (10-12) Jumped right and unseated rider in race won by Taking My Cut (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Roussea (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) In touch to approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Sunley Future (10-13) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn clm hdl (5) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Sistema 50-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, rallied 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 27l behind Dorneys Well (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Wilson Blyth 66-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kiss The Rain (8-12) at W'hampton 5f hcp (F4) pol in Feb '05 (Flat).
The Wife's Sister 9-2fav (10-6) In touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, clear when hit last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Native Commander (10-11) by 8l, 17 ran.
