tracked leaders, led approaching last, pushed out readily
mid-division, headway 8th, 5th and onepaced when fell last
led, headed 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 6th, headed when mistake last, no extra flat
mid-division, ridden halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear when blundered and unseated rider 7th
in rear, ridden halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 7th, ridden and behind from 3 out
in rear, reminders 5th, behind when pulled up before 8th
held up, outpaced halfway, kept on from 2 out
THE DUKE'S SPEECH is our recommendation ahead of Ingratitude and Pilca. It is fair comment to suggest that Ferdy Murphy's charge has been a serial underachiever during his career but with the stable back among the winners and his proven ability on genuinely decent ground exhibited by a fair run in the Swinton Hurdle last term, it is with a fair degree of trepidation that we make him the selection once again. Ingratitude is no stranger to racing on this side of the Irish Sea. He won on his last start for Nicky Henderson at Kempton last Christmas but does have a little to prove over the larger obstacles. Pilca hasn't won for in excess of a year. Currently 0 from 5 over chase fences, he has claims on BHA ratings though wouldn't be one for us. Ouste was a relatively cheap acquisition at the sales for 8000gns. He has looked in need of further in the past though this is difficult to be entirely confident about as he invariably coughs up a couple of errors. Heavenly Chorus is making a chasing debut this afternoon so pay attention to any market moves. All For The Cause was caught flat footed by a change in pace in a small run event at Haydock. He actually caught the eye in the paddock so don't rule him out too readily. Kingoftheswingers was a modest sort on the flat and has appeared similarly ordinary under National Hunt rules. The Ringer has been bitterly disappointing between the flags. The remainder look to be fairly desperate customers to say the least. The Duke's Speech can come out on top under conditions that suit.
Ingratitude (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) In touch on inside, headway travelling well to track leaders before 2 out, led before last, driven and hung right flat, kept on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec beating Histoire De Moeurs (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Ouste (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Tended to jump left and not fluent, well in rear, ridden and went moderate 4th 3 out, stayed on from last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Muhtenbar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Held up in touch, not fluent 5th, effort approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go poor 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 23l behind Sa Suffit (10-13) at Hexham 2m nov stks (3) sft in Mar.
Able Dara 150-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened from 9th, pulled up before last, in a race won by High Bird Humphrey (10-11) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
All For The Cause (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, last of 5, 26l behind Watch My Back (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Fortune's Fool 100-1 (10-5) In touch, chased clear and easy winner 8th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 30l behind Professor Higgins (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf in Mar.
Kingoftheswingers (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, effort 6, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Calgary Jock (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Overlaw 200-1 (11-2) Held up, struggling 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Pilca (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 11l behind Za Beau (10-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
The Ringer 12-1 (12-0) Hdwy 8; wknd 15; pu 2 out, in a race won by Commonburn (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp in Mar, 14 ran.
Heavenly Chorus 20-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 31l behind Gouranga (10-6) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Madge 40-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind I'm Delilah (10-12) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
