chased leaders, mistake 9th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, blundered 8th, effort 5 out, soon no impression, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, jumped left and mistakes throughout, lost place after 2nd, tailed off from 6 out
tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, stayed on from after next, never reached winner
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway from 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge
made all, soon clear, ridden 3 out, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, weakened before 11th, kept on after 2 out, never a threat
in rear when pulled up 8th
Merrion Square appeared to have the beating of Coombe Hill at Wincanton last time when he tried to refuse at the last and unseated his rider. He has the best form of these but is clearly a risky proposition at short odds so we'll take him on with TATANIANO. Formerly a useful handicapper for Richard Rowe, he led until approaching the last at Exeter last month and clearly retains some ability. Coeur Brule and Theophrastus are both recent winners between the flags and should make their presence felt if they handle these trickier fences.
Bay To Go (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) (cp) led 2-3 & 5-15; wknd aft 3 out, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Sagalyrique (11-0) at Pytchley 3m ptp gd.
Shrewd Investment 6-1 (12-1) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, went 2nd before went left 5th, lost 2nd approaching next, chased leaders, blundered 6th, mistake 7th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Penmore Mill (12-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Coeur Brule (FR) 4-5 (12-0) A gng wl; led 8-9 & 12-3 out; led app nxt; comf, won at Tedworth 3m ptp gd beating Daves Venture (12-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Merrion Square (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led when not fluent 3 out, about 1 1/2 lengths ahead when jinked left, then right and unseated rider just before taking off last, in a race won by Coombe Hill (12-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd, 6 ran.
Pinsandneedles 12-1 (12-0) Stdy hdwy 4 out; chall 2 out; wknd app last, 4th of 6, 7l behind De Clare Man (12-0) at East Kent with West Street 3m ptp gs.
Tataniano (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 4th, jumped right from 4 out, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed before the last, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Moscow Chancer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Theatre Evening (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) (cp) chsd wnr 11 til grad wknd 3 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Posh Totty (11-12) at Portman 3m ptp gd.
Theophrastus (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Hdwy 14; led 2 out; all out, won at East Kent with West Street 3m ptp gs beating No No Bingo (11-0) by nk, 6 ran.
