held up mid-division, hampered 8th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
held up behind, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat, never troubled leaders
held up behind, good headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, hung left and headed soon after last, no extra
led, mistake and headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, not much room on bend approaching 2 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway and went left 8th, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, driven after 7th, hampered next, soon behind
always towards rear, held off from 3 out
in touch, bumped badly 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
took keen hold in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, led soon after last, ridden out
chased leaders, led to 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace after
The three to look out for in the opener are Morson Boy, Murphy's Nails and The Kirk with the vote going to the last named. The Kirk is relatively unexposed and has improved with every run. He finished a decent second over three miles at Worcester on his penultimate start and came good last time out when scoring at Wincanton earlier in the month. The rise in the weights means this will be tougher but if he can over come that he should win again. Morson Boy won a seller for Paul Nicholls at Hereford last time out and is now in the hands of Karen Marks. He had proven difficult to win with prior to his latest win and will need to step up a gear if he is to win in this company. Murphy's Nails ran his best race to date last time out and if growing in confidence will enter calculations. But for the winner we return to The Kirk.
General Duroc (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Monger Lane (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Apr, 8 ran.
The Kirk (NZ) 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd beating Kimono Royal (11-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Murphy's Nails (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) With leader, led and not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Sunnyarjun (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Eau Pure (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up,slightly hampered after 2nd, headway approaching 7th, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind My Lady Link (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gd.
Celestial Heights (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Kimoe Warrior (10-7) at Taunton 3m nov hcp chs (F) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Manque Neuf 16-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 14l behind Esters Boy (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Apr.
