tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, soon ridden and headway 5th, chased winner from 3 out in vain
held up, losing touch when mistake 5th
tracked leader from 3rd, led after 4 out, soon clear and easy
led, headed after 4 out, one pace until weakened 2 out
held up, ridden 4th, beaten when not fluent next
tracked leader to 3rd, ridden and weakened after 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, closer order approaching 5th, ridden soon after, plugged on one pace to take 3rd after 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, no impression
Nonrunner
Procas De Thaix is the one to be on here, Greenbridge and Quillan Hill can fill the places. Those are the three form horses in this contest and the selection is the clear pick on the book. A smart performer in bumpers, he came within a short-head of beating the useful Theatre Girl on his debut before setting the record straight over this course and distance. He wasn't as impressive as he might have been that day and his subsequent absence suggests that something may have been amiss. He's held in the highest regard and can show why this afternoon. Like many from the yard, Greenbridge is improving with every run. A close third to Overclear was a useful effort but he bettered that with a comfortable success at Doncaster last time. The selection's penalty coupled with Jack Doyle's claim should ensure that this one is a live threat. The ex-Irish Quillan Hill has won his last two starts in good style but he could struggle to concede weight to a better class of opposition and can be found easier opportunities. Uncle Eli looks best of the rest but we'll take Procas De Thaix to live up to his reputation.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 2-7fav (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, headway to lead between last 2, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Cruchain (10-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Foxy Bob (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up, hit 5th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Honour High (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs, 8 ran.
Greenbridge (IRE) 5-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, quickened clear approaching last, won at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Merchant Red (10-12) by 19l, 8 ran.
Launde (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until stumbled badly and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Dev (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 6 ran.
Lydlinch (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon struggling, 10th of 13, 30l behind Your Amount (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Tanners Den 100-1 (10-11) Tracking leaders when fell at the 5th in race won by Theatre Diva (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 14, 28l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, closer order 4f out, soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 8l behind Calaficial (11-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol.
Quillan Hill 4-5fav (11-5) Led and soon clear, hit 3rd, stayed on well from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Tide Slider (10-5) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
