jumped slow, soon behind, kept on, never near leaders
led, ridden 4 out, tried to run out and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced, lost place after 3rd, soon pushed along, headway after 3 out, ridden, stayed on flat
held up, ridden, headway 7th to chase leaders, left in lead 3 out, headed, no extra last
chased leaders, hampered 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out
held up, pushed along 7th, beaten when hampered 3 out
close up, ridden, mistake 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up, ridden, headway 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
disputed lead, weakened after 7th, behind, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, still every chance last, ridden, ran on
close up, joined leader 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, never troubled leaders
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
In the opener, we will shortlist Le Royal, Present Glory, Standing Bloom and Squantum and give the vote to Present Glory. Prior to a disappointing run last time, the lightly-raced Present Glory had looked progressive. We are prepared to forgive him that aberration and, in what is a modest race overall, he gets the call. If you take some literal form involving Kilty Storm and Piran, he is entitled to beat The Gangerman., who could still make the frame. A course winner in a chase, Standing Bloom was second off today's mark at Wetherby in February, and a repeat of that would give him claims, while Squantum, who was racing for the first time for 219 days - and the first time for new connections - when beating Amazing Valour (who is two pounds better off for a length-and-a-half) and Emphatic (who is seven pounds better off for 14 and a half lengths) last time, looks a threat to all. Finally, Le Royal caught the eye making late headway last time but, for the selection, we will stick with Present Glory.
Le Royal (FR) 20-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms, 4th of 15, 13l behind Hoh Viss (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Present Glory (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, ridden after 9th, weakened before next, 4th of 18, 15l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
The Gangerman (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Always prominent, left 2nd 3 out, jumped left 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Kilty Storm (10-13) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Ballistigo (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 6th, no danger after, 8th of 12, 23l behind L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Knighton Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 16, well behind Before Dark (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Keepakicker (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, progress 4 out, ridden in moderate 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 21, 3 1/2l behind Castle Hope (9-13) at Cork 3m hcp hdl 0-116 hvy in Jan.
Good Call (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, under pressure 8th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Elfkirk (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Son of Greek Myth (USA) 10-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 37l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Emphatic (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led, headed 5th, lost place 7th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no extra, 4th of 13, 15l behind Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Standing Bloom 20-1 (11-4) Held up, struggling after 8th, soon beaten, 11th of 14, well behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Mayoun (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up, headway 7th, led on bit 4 out, ridden hanging left from 2 out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Brave Spirit (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 8th, reminders and stayed on from 3 out, switched right flat, no extra, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Greek Star 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along when hampered 4 out, soon behind pulled up 2 out in race won by Aston Lad (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Supreme Piper (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 47l behind The Luder (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Squantum (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) With leaders, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 12, 49l behind Umbrella Man (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
