in touch, ridden from 3rd, chased leader 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, some progress 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, hit 5th and 6th, closer order after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened
tracked leaders and keen, blundered 5th, lost place after 7th and outpaced, chased leaders 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, rapid headway after 2 out to chase leader last, ridden and led close home
held up tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, to chase leaders, kept on one pace
led, headed after 2 out and weakened
held up rear, headway 4 out, led after 2 out, all out when headed close home
in rear, lost touch 7th
tracked leader, weakened after 6th, lost touch 3 out
Spectrometer can add to his tally, with Penzance, Westender, and Penny Pictures likely to make their presence felt as well. Not many of these actually line up in the best of form, but Spectrometer bids to follow up his win over fences at Wincanton in February, and as he is equally adept over timber, gets the vote. That latest victory came on what was his first outing since November, and as trainer Ian Williams believes that he has him back to his best, a follow up is on the cards. Penzance looked one to follow when landing last year's Triumph Hurdle but seems to have lost his sparkle. The ability is still definitely there though and it would be dangerous to write him off. Westender has topweight to carry and needs to improve on what we have seen this term, and he might not be as big a threat as Pipe's other runner Penny Pictures, an excellent third to Strangely Brown at Aintree. He never seems to run well here though and cannot be backed with any confidence. Spectrometer has as good a chance as any and is the pick.
Westender (FR) 50-1 (11-6) In touch, pushed along and lost place after 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 23l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Penzance 40-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th and well beaten when fell at the last in race won by Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Hasty Prince 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 7th of 24, 9l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 24, 4l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Darrias (GER) 16-1 (9-10) Mistake 5th, always in rear, 16th of 19, 42l behind Lingo (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Spectrometer 17-2 (11-6) With leader, hit 8th, lost place 12th, headway 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, hit last, kept on and all out to lead line, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb beating Bee An Bee (11-12) by a nk, 7 ran.
Howle Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always behind, 16th of 29, 17l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Arrayou (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 5th, outpaced 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, rallied approaching next, stayed on, 6th of 24, 9l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
