mid-division, headway 4 out, led last, pushed out
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, effort 2 out, one pace under pressure
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders to halfway, soon lost place, no danger after
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed last, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 3rd to track leader, weakened 3 out
mid-division, dropped rear halfway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 1st
It is hard to get away from Protective here, who gets the call over Water Taxi, Haadef and Chef de Cour. The James Given-trained selection was rated 84 on the Flat and he showed plenty of promise on his hurdling debut, travelling well for a long way when third behind leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Akilak at Haydock. That form stands out here. The well-bred Water Taxi has to be of interest from the Ferdy Murphy yard, as he has shown Flat promise, while the Howard Johnson-trained Haadef is another with a profile that places him on the list of possibles. Len Lungo's Chef de Cour is another to place on the shortlist, as he has shown plenty of bumper promise, including winning, and Athollbrose has also shown enough to be suggestible for a place. However, it is hard to get away from Protective in this opening race and, consequently, he gets the call.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 66-1 Held up in rear, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 15l behind Akilak at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) sft in Feb.
Athollbrose (USA) 50-1 Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, 45l behind Carte Diamond at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Chef de Cour (FR) 15-8fav Held up, headway 5f out, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Sotovik at Carlisle 1m 6f 4yo nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Haadef 7-4 Hampered 1st, held up and raced keen, mistakes throughout, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 40l behind Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Protective 20-1 Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Akilak at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) sft in Feb.
Soviet Joy (IRE) 6-1 Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 10, 48l behind Majlis at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (G) hvy in Jan.
Water Taxi 15-8 Soon led, headed 7f out, chased winner over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Horner at Warwick 1m 5f mdn stk (D) frm in Jun (Flat).
Katie Kai 20-1 Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 10, 41l behind Top Style at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) sft in Feb.
