led, soon clear, not fluent 2nd, reduced lead next, headed after 4th, led again after 3 out, headed 2 out, 5 lengths down and beaten when fell last
chased leader until before 4th, challenged 3 out, led next, 5 lengths clear and well in command when left further clear last, easily
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, outpaced 3 out, weakening when mistake next
held up, slow 1st, last and ridden 5th, soon well behind
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, modest 4th next, left 3rd last, no chance with winner although pressed for 2nd briefly
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 3rd, led after next, headed 3 out, well beaten 3rd 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up in rear, keen early, not much room 2nd, not fluent 4th, struggling when mistake 4 out, soon behind
Waterlord clearly sets the standard but things have not gone so well the last twice. He was well beaten when upgraded to Grade 2 level at Haydock before pulling up in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury when reportedly suffering broken blood vessels. Obviously all is now well with him and he'll be very tough to beat if anywhere near his best but BALLYMOY is a decent alternative. He's been brought along in far shallower waters than the McCain gelding but has had a light campaign to date and scored neatly enough last time at Uttoxeter. There should be plenty more to come and he's a hopeful choice in receipt of 7lb from Waterlord. The remainder, of which Neachells Bridge looks best, all need to improve on efforts to date to trouble the two penalised contenders.
Waterlord 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, pulled up quickly before 6th, at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Ballymoy (IRE) 4-11fav (11-4) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, led before not fluent last, stayed on, clear towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb beating Take Em Out (11-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Brigadier Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Ballymoy (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Monthyne 100-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not much room 1st, well beaten after 6th, tailed off, 10th of 15, dist behind Champagne Champ (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Neachells Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, 5th and no extra when mistake last, 5th of 12, 14l behind Canelo (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Ofcourseiwill (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-13) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Never A Word (USA) 14-1 (10-7) Keen, held up in 5th, not fluent 4th, nudged along before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Michael's Mount (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
