always prominent, chased winner 4 out, kept on well flat
held up towards rear, tailed off from 4 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, left in lead after 4th, stayed on well flat
prominent not fluent 2nd, weakened 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up flat
led, ran wide after 4th, lost position, always behind
prominent, chased leader 4th until weakened 3 out, hit 2 out
always in rear, passed beaten horses from 2 out to finish poor 4th
mid-division, effort when poor 5th, tried to run out and unseated rider 4 out
Black And Tan has shown promise in both starts so far but the gelding looks to be one of the lesser lights in the yard of Phillip Hobbs and he looks worth taking on with preference for Mars Rock, who gets the vote ahead of Curraheen Chief. The last mentioned showed progressive form in bumpers in Ireland when last seen but that was over five years ago so he is probably best watched on his first start for John Spearing. Sarahs Quay looks to be going the right way over fences but her hurdles form, leaves something to be desired. Irish point-to-point winner Jacksons Pier gave little sign for encouragement on his rules debut in a Uttoxeter bumper on his British debut last month so is probably best watched; comments that apply also to Mister Sher. Morgans Money is an interesting newcomer from the yard of Richard Phillips and would not need to be out of the ordinary to take a hand but the vote goes to Mars Rock. Useful in bumpers, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding has shown the best form on offer over hurdles and a reproduction of the pick of it should suffice.
Black And Tan (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Nero West (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Curraheen Chief (IRE) 5-4fav (11-11) Progress 6f out, 4th 5f out, 2nd and ridden over 2f out, improved to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m nhf sft in Dec '01 beating Rob The Five (11-2) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mars Rock (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Led 3rd, mistake 5th, jumped left 3 out, soon headed, jumped left 2 out, 6 lengths down and disputing 2nd when bumped badly and brought down at the last in race won by Witness Run (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Mister Sher (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) unseated rider in race won by Red Brook Lad (12-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Morgans Money Karinga Bay gelding, half-brother to winning chaser French Cedar.
Scania Classic 125-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Jacksons Pier (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 17, 17l behind Chaim (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Chased leader 2nd, led 8th, ridden 3 out, hung left flat, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar beating Lizzie Bathwick (9-11) by 10l, 8 ran.
