led, headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, led 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish
mid-division, in touch over 5f out, ridden 4f out, beaten over 1f out
in rear, rang green, switched right over 2f out, closed soon after, stayed on from over 1f out to take 2nd towards finish
always prominent, led 1f out, stayed on well
held up, ridden and struggling over 4f out
held up in rear, headway 6f out, ridden and swtiched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-doivision, in touch over 5f out, beaten over 1f out
chased leaders, struggling 7f out, behind final 5f, tailed off
Strategic Approach may be able to make amends for a costly defeat on debut; King Edmund is respected as are a number of the newcomers. The selection was well backed but proved no match for The Big Orse over course and distance which, although a fair run, has to be deemed disappointing. Better was presumably expected and he may be able to deliver now that he's got a run under his belt. King Edmund was impressive at Ludlow but it's never easy to defy a penalty and it should be worth taking him on. Neither Blazing Desert nor Manyoshou looked like stars on debut so an eye should be cast over the newcomers. Most make some sort of appeal on paper with Dusty Springheeled, Moleskin and Arturo Uno three that we'll put forwards. Once again, the market should point the way but we'll nominate Strategic Approach.
King Edmund 80-1 (11-1) Prominent, led after 5f, ridden 3f out, kept on well, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan beating In Vino (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Arturo Uno (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of winning chaser Aiguille.
Avec Moi Ce Soir (IRE) Marignan gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Moleskin (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding, brother to winning hurdlers Sydney and Mole's Chamber.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 18l behind The Big Orse (10-13) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Vagrant Emperor (IRE) Oscar gelding out of winning hurdler Dragonmist.
Waifer's Lad Double Trigger gelding out of winning hurdler Belmore Cloud.
Dusty Springheeled (IRE) Tragic Role mare out of an unraced mare.
Lady Malousa Alflora mare, half-sister to winning hurdlers Vivace and Third Level Tom.
Blazing Desert 6-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 5f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Youngstown (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Manyoshu (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 38l behind Gold Award (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Feb.
