tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 8th, led and blundered 5 out, drew clear approaching 3 out, easily
tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon lost 2nd, outpaced 10th, rallied to go 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with easy winner
held up in last, behind from 3rd
held up in 5th, headway 9th, not fluent 11th, hit 4 out, well held 3 out, went moderate 3rd after 2 out
led until 5 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, fell last
chased leaders, outpaced after 10th, rallied approaching 5 out, disputing 2nd when hit 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off
The return to better ground will suit PICAROON who is selected ahead of Cossack Dancer and Sir Ian. Tim Vaughan launches a three-pronged attack on this race, presumably delighted at getting some of his spring horses out on better ground. This gelding tops the weights but he won't mind a return to chasing and with his impressive Leicester win in March still fresh in the memory he is nominated. Stablemates Dead Or Alive and Jimbatai are considered, although the former needs to prove himself over fences whilst the latter needs to prove that his mark of 117 is manageable. Cossack Dancer returns to action after a winter break and this confirmed good-ground horse is of utmost interest, especially as his mark of 121 means that his is very nicely handicapped. The step back up in trip will suit Sir Ian, whilst Star Galaxy runs this track well but his improvement this season has come on testing ground in weak races and after his flop at Kempton last time out this may all be just too much to handle. Picaroon is the selection.
Picaroon 6-4 (11-2) Tracked winner, effort when not fluent 3 out, weakened next, last of 3, 28l behind Bella Haze (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 7th, led 8th until not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 11, 12l behind Nudge And Nurdle (10-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, short lived effort 4 out to next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Edgbriar (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Jimbatai (IRE) 11-10 (11-12) Led 1st to 2nd, always close up, challenged 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy beating Massini Sunset (10-10) by 7l, 2 ran.
Sir Ian (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Led, mistake 5 out, headed 2nd last, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Sebastiano (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Star Galaxy (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Behind, headway 12th, weakened 3 out, pulled up last, in a race won by High Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
