in touch, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, driven 5 out, held in 4th when mistake last, kept on
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 2 out, no impression
always prominent, driven to challenge after 2 out, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, soon tailed off
tracked leader, mistake 8th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, never reached winner
held up in rear, slow 8th and 9th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
NonRunner
RATIFY has defied his age in four starts since joining Fergal O'Brien and has won three out of four, the latest over hurdles. He's only 2lb higher than when successful over this track and trip in February and can complete a hat-trick. Pembroke House is also in the veteran stage but hasn't been nearly as successful scoring just once over fences in 27 starts. He very nearly doubled his tally here a fortnight ago though that was on very heavy going. Chateau Robin was beaten a distance into second behind the selection at Wincanton in December but started favourite and that was nowhere near his form. Winning hurdler Bendomingo has shown very little aptitude for jumping fences in his two runs to date.
Ratify 9-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, joined 4th, headed 3 out, chased leader, 2 lengths down last, rallied gamely under pressure to lead again final 110 yards, won at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating No Hiding Place (12-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Bendomingo (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division on inside, not fluent 16th or 18th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Chateau Robin (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Chased winner, hit 6th, not fluent 8th, dropped to 3rd before 4 out, struggling when left 2nd again 3 out, no chance with winner, blundered badly 2 out, soon 3rd, left 2nd again last, 2nd of 6, dist behind Ratify (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Border Breaker (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Oakidoaki 8-1 (10-10) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
That's The Deal (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place when hit 8th, struggling before not fluent 13th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Pembroke House 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 11th, challenged 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on to close on tiring/idling winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Huff And Puff (11-12) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Rising Tide (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened before 6th, soon behind, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Glengra (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, no impression and soon weakened, 6th of 9, dist behind Silent Man (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
