chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on
held up in 6th, headway 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before last, led last, stayed on well under pressure flat
held up, steady headway 5th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, soon not pace of leading duo
chased leader until 2nd, chased leading pair, went 2nd again 6th, mistake next, led before 3 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat
last pair, riddden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, not fluent 4th, outpaced in 5th before 2 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off
led and wandered at hurdles, mistake 4th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakening quickly when blundered bady 3 out and virtually pulled up, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd at 2nd until 6th, chased leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders until lost place and reminders 6th, soon behind and struggling next, tailed off
This looks a competitive affair and several have decent claims. Master Of The Game may have needed the run when only third to Tominator at Sandown in February while Le Bec won here in the autumn and has been highly tried since, finishing sixth in a Grade 1 at The Festival last time. Le Reve has also taken on Grade 1 company this season and Sky Watch wasn't beaten far in a jumpers' bumper here in January, though was a long way behind Le Bec on his hurdling debut. SALMANAZAR was still a little green when scoring over course and distance last month but found a nice turn of foot after the last and should have more to offer - he can double his tally.
Le Bec (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Prominent, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 29l behind At Fishers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Le Reve (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, tailed off after 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Close Touch (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) hvy in Mar, 16 ran.
Master Of The Game (IRE) 4-7fav (11-9) Chased leading pair, not fluent 3rd or 4th, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent next, ridden when mistake and demoted to 3rd last, one pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Tominator (11-9) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Salmanazar 13-2 (11-1) Took keen hold in touch in 5th, effort and hit 4 out, chased leaders before led 2 out, came clear before last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Shernando (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Gilbert 200-1 (10-11) Led until 5f out, weakened quickly and soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Doctor Harper (11-9) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Gold Ingot 7-2 (10-12) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, well behind Brassick (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Moneymix 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Bucking The Trend (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Newmans Boy 100-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, jumped left, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Karinga Dancer (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 13 ran.
Sky Watch (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenged 4f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 15, 3l behind Ericht (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Whatsupjack (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 5th, some headway after 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 14, 43l behind Shernando (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
