held up in rear, switched right and headway after 3 out, chased leaders after next, never on terms
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge
led, hard ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra
prominent, ridden to challenge after 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened
tracked leaders, under pressure halfway, soon lost place
behind, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
behind headway 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led after 2 out, hard ridden last, stayed on well flat
mid-division, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
behind, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
in touch, lost place 4 out, behind after
held up in rear, hampered and unseated rider on bend after 3 out
The penultimate race on the card is a big field maiden hurdle but AL AMAAN is well clear on ratings and should take this ahead of Tzora and Blue Spartan. The Nicholls horse has 13 lbs in hand over his nearest rival and should be up to taking this. His was disappointing on his last start but he just didn't seem to stay. The drop in trip should suit and he should be judged on his previous form when finishing close up behind Riverside Theatre. The flat bred son of Nayef should also be at home on this good ground and hopefully Nick Scholfield can boot him clear. The selection has most to fear from the Hobbs horse. Tzora has bits and pieces of nice form but seems to be a little bit inconsistent. He should enjoy this quicker ground and will give Al Amaan most to think about. A horse who may be worth an each-way bet is Blue Spartan. Charlie Mann's son of Spartacus took a huge step forward on his latest start after disappointing on debut. Celtic Ballad and Windpfeil should be monitored but this race is at the mercy of Al Amaan.
Al Amaan 9-4fav (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader who was clear until 2nd, led 5th to 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 24l behind Phidippides (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Blue Spartan (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, challenging for 3rd when hit last, stayed on flat, not pace of leading pair, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Superius (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Bon Viveur 8-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, led 5th to 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Oddshoes (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar '09.
Fidelis (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Pistolet Dove (10-6) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Grit (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway to track leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 4l behind Hannicean (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan (flat).
Lanhydrock 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, driven along 5f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 26l behind Bens Moor (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Mar.
Red Army Commander (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Close up, hampered 5f out, weakened 3f out, last of 13, 27l behind Zaif (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Oct (flat).
Slam 33-1 (11-0) Not fluent 2nd, always in rear, 13th of 14, well behind Outside The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Tzora 11-8fav (11-3) Slowly away, soon in mid-division, headway after 2nd, led narrowly after 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 23l behind Fahrisee (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Celtic Ballad (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Behind, never dangerous, 10th of 17, well behind Nice One Eric (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Emirates World (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) In rear, progress to 4th 3 out, kept on to go moderate 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Conquisto (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gd in Mar.
Pegasus Lad (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Pressed leader, led over 6f out, headed 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 11th of 12, 12l behind Audemar (9-2) at Kempton 1m fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
Windpfeil (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 4th, under pressure 3out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 46l behind Soldatino (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Janet's Delight 25-1 (11-9) Raced keen, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gamesters Lady (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Nobel Play 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Dream Esteem (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Tobizzy 66-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 34l behind Cut And Thrust (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec '08 (flat).
Fun Guy 100-1 (10-11) Led and clear with one rival to halfway, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on until weakened 1f out, 10th of 14, 44l behind Sprinter Sacre (10-9) at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) gs in Feb.
