in touch, led before 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on towards finish, driven out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd from and not fluent last, one pace
in touch, with leader 8th, led 12th, headed before 2 out, weakened from last
towards rear, hampered 4 out, soon pulled up
always towards rear, effort 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on
led from 2nd, blundered and headed 12th, fell 4 out
in rear, mistake 1st, never dangerous
led to 2nd, lost place halfway, headway before 4 out, went 2nd from 2 out, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, pushed along before 12th, went 2nd from 13th, every chance 3 out, one pace from last
Big Fella Thanks was second in a Grade 3 handicap over this course and distance at the start of last year. Despite his advancing years, he's a model of consistency and will make a bold bid to follow up last month's victory at Exeter. FULL JACK should take all the beating, however, if reproducing the form of his handicap win at Carlisle where he quickly shot clear of his rivals from the third-last having travelled sweetly on the bridle throughout. Grandioso won three times over fences for Paul Nicholls and got off the mark for his new yard at Kempton eight days ago so can't be ignored. Foynes Island was just beaten at Taunton last time but needs faster ground.
Big Fella Thanks 9-4fav (12-2) Chased leaders, challenged going well 3 out, soon led, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f (6) sft in Mar beating Delta Borget (12-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Full Jack (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, clear before next, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Carrigdhoun (11-12) by 12l, 7 ran.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 16-1 (12-2) Mid-divisioon, pushed along when blundered 11th, weakened 13th, 6th of 14, 30l behind Nowurhurlin (12-6) at Warwick 2m 4f (6) sft in Mar.
Bouggietopieces 25-1 (11-7) Led to 12; wknd 14; t.o, 6th of 7, dist behind Blazing Buck (11-0) at Howick 3m gs in Apr.
Daymar Bay (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Grandioso (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 12th, challenged 3 out, led before next, went right last, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr beating Twirling Magnet (12-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Barton Stacey (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) (cp) (tt) prom; led 9-13; wknd qckly 15; pu nxt, at Cothelstone 3m sft in Mar.
Fiasco 16-1 (12-0) (tt) led til hdd & wknd qckly 3 out, 5th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Fearless Fantasy (11-7) at Maisemore Park 3m gd in Mar.
Foynes Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, ridden after 3 out, joined next, not fluent last, kept on under pressure flat, headed narrowly near finish, 2nd of 5, shd behind Benedictus (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (5) gd in Apr.
Goodnight Vienna (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Led til hdd aft 2 out; no ex, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Aikideau (11-0) at Littlewindsor 3m sft in Apr.
