raced wide tracked leaders going well, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, soon clear, kept on strongly run-in
chased leader led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon lost 2nd, weakened before the last
chased leaders on inside, mistake and stumbled 4th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened between last 2
led headed approaching 2 out, weakened before the last, lost modest 3rd close home
jumped poorly, always in rear, tailed off and eased before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with easy winner
always behind, not fluent 5th, reminders and beaten after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, kept on into modest 3rd close home
mid-division on outside, jumped slowly 6th, brief effort on outside after 3 out, ridden and weakening when mistake next, tailed off
Ballyknock Cloud won a novice hurdle on good ground at Southwell before failing to complete in soft going. El Presente has failed to threaten carrying a penalty in a couple of starts since scoring at Huntingdon but Malachite should go well again having won a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon in February. BLU CAVALIER has a double penalty to contend with but has won his previous couple of outings by a street including over these obstacles on his penultimate start and there looks more still to come from Paul Nicholls’ progressive charge.
Blu Cavalier 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led approaching 6th, clear after 3 out, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Apr beating Dentley De Mee (11-6) by 18l, 7 ran.
Ballyknock Cloud (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden to challenge after 4 out, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 3m (4) sft in Dec.
El Presente 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Uppertown Prince (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Malachite 3-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, 2nd or 3rd, led before 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Feb beating Voie Dans Voie (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Watcombe Heights (IRE) 11-4cfav (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along and dropped to rear after 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Moabit (12-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Costly Dream (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Keen early, mid-division, not fluent 2nd, dropped to rear after 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off 4 out, last of 10, dist behind On The Blind Side (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Cotswold Way (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in touch, 3rd before 3 out, lost place next, weakened, 7th of 15, 30 1/2l behind Champagne Champ (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Selfcontrol (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, lost place 3rd, closed next, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Snuff Box (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Apr.
Stylish Moment (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, went 3rd before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 22 1/4l behind Gowiththeflow (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb.
Ritas Bid (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Ran green, held up in rear, wide on bends, never involved, 9th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Giving Back (10-6) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Mere Ironmonger 5-2fav (11-3) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Gibbes Bay (10-10) at Ayr 2m (3) gs in Apr.
