held up, blundered 9th, headway 11th, hit 3 out, switched right 2 out, no extra flat
held up mid-division, headway when blundered 8th, weakened 13th
prominent, ridden along 13th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, mistakes 6th and 9th, lost place after 9th, some headway 5 out, soon tailed off
in rear when not fluent 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
in rear, not fluent 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
prominent, with leader 6th and 7th, lost place 12th, soon behind
led, headed approaching 5 out, hard ridden and every chance flat, kept on
always in touch, led 5 out, headed near line
held up, headway 8th, ridden appraoching 3 out, stayed on to lead near line
Sissinghurst Storm, Happy Shopper and Ebony Jack are three against the field in another trappy affair and the tentative nomination is given to Happy Shopper. The selection was very disappointing last time out but prior to that he had been in good form, the return to this faster surface should suit and off what remains a fair mark he looks the value bet in an open affair.Sissinghurst Storm rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Southerndown.However this looks more competitive and his penalty may just find him out. Ebony Jack has been in good form of late and is another that could go well but he is best when the mud is flying and is opposed for that reason. Of the remainder Kausse de Thaix has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price if the fitting of a first time tongue tie has the desired effect but for the winner we return to Happy Shopper in the hope that he can bounce back to form on this faster surface.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until weakened after 17th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Hazeljack (9-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 14 ran.
Rudolf Rassendyll (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling from 7th pulled up 3 out in race won by Kilty Storm (10-13) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Happy Shopper (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Prominent until weakened quickly 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Earl's Kitchen (10-12) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
Waimea Bay 11-1 (10-0) Prominent, lost place 3rd, mistake 10th, ridden 11th, behind from 12th, last of 4, well behind Taranis (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Another Conquest 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Shrove Tuesday (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Lord Seamus 13-2 (11-1) Held up, driven 9th, weakening when mistake 12th, 5th of 8, 42l behind Fin Bec (10-9) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jan.
Ebony Jack (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Led, mistake 13th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 14l behind River of Light (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Sissinghurst Storm (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headed to go in touch 7th, ridden 13th, led next, clear 4 out, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs beating Southerndown (10-13) by 6l, 15 ran.
