held up in touch, headway 4th, led 5th, ridden 3 out, challenged 2 out, driven out
led, headed after 4th, ridden, weakened 3 out
not jumped well in rear, pulled up after 3 out
in rear, mistake 2nd, hampered 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
held up mid-division, closer order when weakened, mistake 6th, well behind when mistake last
held up tracking leaders, keen, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, weakening soon after when hit 2 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, close up when hit last
prominent, weakened 6th
in rear when fell heavy 4th
chased leaders, ridden, weakened 5th
in rear, mistake 1st, brief effort 5th, soon behind
Opera de Coeur gets the vote here with Prize Fighter and Milan Deux rating the main dangers. The selection is unbeaten in two runs to date and won with a little in hand last time out when beating Slew Charm. Granted this looks more competitive and he has a penalty but he looks a progressive type and with his yard still in top form he looks the one to be on. Prize Fighter rates the main danger on his latest third behind Afsoun but his best form is on a slightly faster surface and for that reason he is opposed. Milan Deux was well backed on his hurdling debut and had every chance until running out. If he puts his best foot forward he will not be far away and should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Berkhamsted was a fair sort on the flat and should;d be noted in the market but he may improve for the run and with this in mind for the winner we return to the more experienced Opera de Coeur.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Made all, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Slew Charm (11-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Afsoun (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, soon led, clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Feb beating Desperation (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran (Flat).
Carpet Ride 100-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out, blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft, 18 ran.
Doughty 40-1 (8-11) Stumbled start, ridden to chase leaders after 1f, weakened 3f out, 12th of 14, 28l behind Crusoe (9-3) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs (Flat).
Lucky Shame (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, pulled hard, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Shamayoun (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 2-1fav (10-2) Led after 1st until went badly left and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Flying Falcon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Mr Mayfair (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Livingonaknifedge (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
New Wave 40-1 (10-10) Held up, ridden, headway 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 18, 41l behind Linnet (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Soon ridden along in rear, lost touch from halfway, last of 9, 10l behind Anfield Dream (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb (Flat).
Paddy's Tern 150-1 (7-7) Prominent, outpaced over 5f out, 8th of 9, 38l behind Pass The Port (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Sands Point (FR) (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, every chance, no extra, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Seeland Empire (9-2) at Taby 1m 6f stk frm in Oct (Flat).
Water Pistol 300-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, prominent, weakened 6th, 6th of 8, well behind Refinement (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Taylor Maid 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 33l behind Sierra (9-3) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Jan (Flat).
