raced wide in mid-division, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off before next
towards rear, struggling 3 out, plugged on
behind, headway after 3 out, one pace in modest 5th 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, until approaching next, modest 3rd soon after, weakened into 4th flat
in touch, reminders 7th, chased leading pair soon after until weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased leader before next, driven to lead between last 2, soon in command, stayed on well
led, clear after 3 out, reduced lead before next, soon ridden, headed between last 2, no chance with winner
chased leaders, wekened after 6th, tailed off
prominent, driven and weakened after 6th, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened after 6th, tailed off
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, went modest 3rd flat, not reach leaders
in rear, pecked 6th, plugged on after 3 out, never in contention
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Most of these are hard to win with, so siding with MAE CIGAN does come with a health warning. Still, he has more scope than Sun Quest and Darn Hot and is worth a chance as the main hope on the shortlist. Each-way punters could do worse than consider Thehonourablelady, who is certainly not without a chance of making the frame on these terms. The last named has the tongue tie back in place today and, from the foot of the weights, is capable of being in the shake-up. Darn Hot won a mares only race at Stratford last month and, as she races from the same mark, she is capable of holding her own once more. She does, however, need to conclusively prove she can handle cut in the ground. Sun Quest returned to form with a vengeance last time out and is very much represented on that effort. An 8lb rise does leave him vulnerable today, though. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance with Mae Cigan, who despite a wealth of experience on the Flat, is still relatively unexposed over hurdles. The Michael Blanshard-trained gelding comes here on the back of a solid run at Ffos Las and will be a tough customer to deal with if he is capable of dishing out a repeat dose.
Chocolat (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, weakened rapidly and eased, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Lindy Lou (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Prominent, chased winner 2nd until 5th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Marodima (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 16-1 (11-3) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 13l behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Sun Quest 18-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, clear approaching 2 out, hit last driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Spider Boy (9-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
War Party 15-2 (11-7) Always behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Posh Emily (10-7) at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
City Heights (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hampered 6th, headway and pushed wide well before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Lord Ragnar (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft in Mar.
Mayor Of Kilcock 11-2 (11-7) Raced keenly, led and clear until blundered 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened and eased, tailed off, 6th of 11, 50l behind Along The Nile (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
The Groovy Mule 25-1 (11-2) Led chasing group, lost touch after 3rd, 4th of 6, 39l behind Agente Romano (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Classic Fly (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Chased clear leaders, left 2nd 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 26l behind Harry Tricker (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Posh Emily 9-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3rd, went 2nd next, 3rd and beaten before last, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Freddy's Star (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Darn Hot 9-4fav (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, went 2nd after 9th, led 13th, not fluent 2 out, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 7f Mares Handicap Chase (0-125) (5yo+) (3) gd in Mar beating Daraz Rose (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ready Or Not (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up, hit 1st, ridden and headway 2 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 20l behind Posh Emily (10-7) at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Thehonourablelady 9-2 (11-2) Chased leading pair to 5th, soon outpaced, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 6, 32l behind Santera (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (4yo+) (4) gs in Mar.
Mae Cigan (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 6th, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, chased winner next, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Blazing Buck (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Swincombe Rock 9-2 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 16, 40l behind Sona Sasta (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Petrus De Sormain (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Always in rear, 11th of 15, 50l behind Jocheski (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
