led, hit last and joined, hung right and bumped winner run-in, soon ridden and narrowly headed, flattered by proximity to snug winner
mistake 2st, tracked leading pair, 2nd before 3 out, upsides last, bumped run-in, soon nudged into lead, snugly
kept wide, chased leader until before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out
last pair, reminder after 6th, mistake and weakened 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, held up in last pair, closer before 3 out, 3rd after 3 out, plugged on, no chance with leading duo
NOTRE PARI returns to novice company after a couple of outings in handicaps. He won over 2m4f at Ascot on the first of those occasions and was racing in second when falling at the last at Kempton on his latest start. That’s the strongest form on offer and Olly Murphy’s charge is taken to defy a penalty. Gary Moore has won two of the four renewals with Black Gerry preferred to stablemate Quiana after winning over a shorter trip at Lingfield but Apache Creek and Cannie Lad have shown nothing to recommend them so far.
Black Gerry (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up, closed 3rd, led and hung left from 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Young Lieutenant (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Notre Pari (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division 4th, headway chasing leaders 3 out, going well in 2nd before next, over 2 lengths down looking held when fell last, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gs in Jan.
Apache Creek (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Allart (11-4) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Cannie Lad 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Tile Tapper (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Quiana 66-1 (11-2) Always rear-division, tailed off, 11th of 15, 29 1/4l behind Chantry House (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) gd in Feb.
