tracked leader, ridden and weakene from 3 out
towards rear, headway from 9th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace from next
always behind, lost touch from 9th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, led last and kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, every chance 3 out, soon led, ridden from 2 out, headed last, no extra
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
Paddy The Piper can get the better of Celtic Son, with Ladalko and Basilea Star the other main players. This should turn into a tremendous battle between the principals, and Paddy The Piper can come out on top now that he is put back over hurdles. Len Lungo's charge lines unbeaten over the smaller obstacles, having reeled off a four-timer before embarking on a chasing career. It has not been plain sailing in that sphere and he made plenty of mistakes behind Your A Gassman at Newcastle. He was rated 135 when scoring over timber at Kelso last March, the same mark as Celtic Son was on when chasing home Holland Park at Aintree, so it should be interesting. The latter has shot up the weights during the season, and this slight drop back in trip may not serve Pipe's inmate so well, so he is worth taking on. Ladalko was just touched off at Kempton last time and this flat track will suit him, but he has been off since February. Basilea Star is an up-and-coming stayer, but his future lies over fences, and although that is what awaits Paddy the Piper as well in time, his form over hurdles is better, and so we return to him as the winner.
Telemoss (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, driven after 9th, effort 3 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 11, well behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Paddy The Piper (IRE) 11-10jt-fav Tracked winner, mistakes and jumped right throughout, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Your A Gassman at Newcastle 3m nov chs (C) gd in Nov.
Celtic Son (FR) 2-1fav Held up, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 9th, every chance when blundered last, one pace, 2nd of 22, 9l behind Holland Park at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd.
Ladalko (FR) 4-7fav Tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, every chance flat, always held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Forager at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb.
Basilea Star (IRE) 9-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, never going pace to challenge, 9th of 22, 8l behind Oulart at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Overstrand (IRE) 20-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brave Inca at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 gs, 13 ran.
Give Me Love (FR) 66-1 Mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, 19th of 29, well behind Idole First at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
