chased leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, no real impression on winner inside final furlong, pressed for 2nd until no extra near finish
always in rear, struggling over 4f out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, edged right over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, ran green, stayed on inside final furlong, no real impression
mid-division, closed 5f out, no impression from 3f out
soon led and clear, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, closed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway from 3f out, never able to get to leaders, no impression
BALUSTRADE's form looks solid and he is preferred to Easter Meteor, Merehead and Kid Cassidy in what looks an interesting bumper. Chris Gordon's Barathea gelding ran well on debut at Fontwell, finishing fourth behind Sizing Santiago. That winner could be pretty decent and with that experience under his belt he is narrowly preferred. Easter Meteor is a brother to Easter Legend, Merehead wasn't a cheap purchase from France and needs a market check, whilst Pont Toto is related to several winners both on the flat and over hurdles. Robin De Creuse has so far disappointed, so a bigger threat may be Steel Bullet for a perennially underestimated yard. Nicky Henderson is well represented here, saddling both Pampelonne and Kid Cassidy. Neither has seen the track before but the booking of AP McCoy for the latter looks a big pointer and this half-brother to River City and Cane Ridge looks the stable first string. The market will help as ever, but preference is for Balustrade.
Balustrade (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 5l behind Sizing Santiago (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd.
Easter Meteor Midnight Legend gelding out of Easter Comet.
Golden Celebration Double Trigger gelding out of Rose Thyne.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Shuil Na Lee.
Merehead (FR) Al Namix gelding out of Moneda.
Pont Toto Mtoto gelding out of Morgannwg.
Pre Raphaelite (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, weakened before 2f out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Ohio Gold (10-8) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Robin De Creuse (FR) 15-8fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 11f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 38l behind Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) gd.
Steel Bullet (IRE) Craigsteel gelding out of Augusta Lucinda.
Top Smart 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, 12th of 14, 25l behind Priceless Art (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf.
Pampelonne (IRE) Oscar filly out of Bondi Storm.
