held up mid-division, headway after 9th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, hung left from last
pulled up, chased leader, ridden 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden 9th, soon weakened
prominent, chased leader after 9th, ridden, challenged and led 2 out, driven out flat
led, ridden after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra and hung left flat
held up mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, challenged 2 out, jumped awkwardly last, kept on flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, no impression
pulled up, held up towards rear, lost touch 7th, pulled up after 8th
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, lost touch 5th, kept on one pace past beaten horses from 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 9th, one pace
in touch, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened 9th
Gaelic Music has the form to win this ahead of Irish Legend, Bewleys Guest, and the Nicholls pair Commanche War Paint and Grand Creole. Gaelic Music created a favourable impression when scoring on his bumper debut at Exeter last April, and went close to opening his account over hurdles here at Taunton last time. But for a mistake at the last, he would have finished much closer to the winner Blue Business who franked the form again at Wincanton last time, as did the fourth home, Pass Me A Dime, who scored at Chepstow last week. He was pulled up the time before on his hurdling bow at Exeter, but the fact that he was pitched in against the likes of Gold Medallist and Secret Ploy indicates how highly he is rated by trainer Mark Bradstock who reckons that he can win a decent race when the going is good. As long as the rain stays away today, he should take all the beating on the way to better things. Irish Legend appreciated the step up in trip when scoring at Ludlow, but the ex-Irish Flat winner has to shoulder a penalty here. Bewleys Guest was down the field at Wincanton on her first run under rules, but has experience between the flags and will improve in time. Choosing between the two Paul Nicholls runners is not easy, and so the market hopefully will prove a guide, although very slight preference is for Commanche War Paint. Gaelic Music has the scope to progress into a useful stayer though and is a confident choice.
Irish Legend (IRE) 14-1 Held up, headway after 8th, led 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gs in Feb beating Rash Moment by 5l, 13 ran.
Bewleys Guest (IRE) 9-2 Chased leader, ridden 4f out, not quicken, 10th of 14, 49l behind Be Be King at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Comanche War Paint (IRE) 11-2 Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 20th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 16, 16l behind Spot Thedifference at Cheltenham 3m 7f chs (B) gd in Nov.
Gaelic Music (IRE) 16-1 Led, ridden and headed 2 out, not fluent last, edged left, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Blue Business at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Grande Creole (FR) 14-1 Held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 22l behind Star Angler at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
No Remorse 5-1 pulled up in race won by Holding The Fort at Dingley 3m ptp gd in May, 16 ran.
Slalom (IRE) 66-1 Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, pushed along 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 15, 43l behind Reveillez at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
