always behind, struggling from 12th, tailed off when pulled up after 14th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 12th, headed 3 out, weakened rapidly 2 out
held up, headway 15th, hit 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish
held up, behind from 9th, pulled up before 12th
led and mistakes, headed 12th, lost place after 4 out, rallied after next, stayed on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced 14th, stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 5th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 13th, pulled up after 4 out
behind, soon reminders, tailed off from 11th
held up, lost place 8th, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, headway 11th, led 3 out, stayed on from last, headed towards finish
Alisons Treasure ran well in defeat here last time out however the step up in trip on quicker ground should suit EL FARGO and he is nominated ahead of Heavenly Leader, I See A Star, Farmer Frank and Persian Prince. The selection is a bit of an unknown as he has not been seen on the racetrack proper since finishing well down the field in a Novice hurdle at Newcastle on desperate ground in April. However he was a bit of an eye-catcher in defeat in a recent point-to-point at Witton Castle and he could be a dark horse here. Farmer Frank was a ready winner of a recent point-to-point where he was well-fancied and market support here would be interesting, whilst Heavenly Leader was pulled up Friars Haugh recently. Persian Prince seemed on good terms with himself when also victorious recently at Witton Castle. I See A Star is likely to be popular. He represents powerful connections and has his first start over regulation fences today. He looked a strong stayer when victorious in a point-to-point and should have no problem with this longer trip. A tough race to fathom, but we'll take a chance on El Fargo.
Alisons Treasure (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Ss; gd hdwy 12; wknd 4 out, 6th of 9, 32l behind Buy Onling (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb.
El Fargo (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Nrst fin, 5th of 13, 10l behind Chancery Lad (12-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Farmer Frank Evensfav (12-0) Led to 8; led 4 out; r.o wl, won at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Pass The Parsel (12-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Gunner Royal 12-1 (12-5) A.p; hrd rdn 4 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Sonevafushi (12-5) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Heavenly Leader 5-2jt-fav (12-0) Strugg 13; pulled up in race won by Opio (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Jan, 13 ran.
I See A Star 8-1 (12-0) Led 4th, ran on strongly, won at Lisgoold 3m Ir pt-to-pt gd-sft in Jan beating Up N Under (12-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Nectar De Guye (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Held up in tch; eff 15; rdn 3 out; fnd nil, 4th of 9, 16l behind Father Owen (12-0) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Oca De Thaix (FR) 5-2fav (12-5) A.p; ev ch 2 out; no ex app last, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Ardnaclancy (12-5) at Overton 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Persian Prince (IRE) 2-1fav (12-5) Held up; hdwy 13; led 14-3 out; led 2 out; rdn clr flat, won at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Buckshaw (12-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always behind, struggling from 11th, 8th of 12, well behind Hopkins (11-0) at Doncaster 3m beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Cupid's Mission (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Behind, struggling halfway, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind More Likely (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Shanteen Lass (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led 2-3; wknd 14, 6th of 9, 33l behind True Friday (11-11) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Whatever You Think (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Chsd ldrs til unseated rider in race won by Quotica De Poyans (11-12) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp sft in Jan, 12 ran.
