raced in close 3rd on inside, went 2nd out wide before 3 out, upsides last, strong challenge out wide run-in, always just held
made all, pushed clear before 3 out, reduced lead next, joined last, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, always just doing enough and stayed on gamely
chased winner until pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
off the pace towards rear, pushed along and struggling in last pair 4th, headway on inside approaching 3 out, 5th when hit 2 out, soon ridden and no extra
off the pace and always towards rear
last pair, struggling 4 out, tailed off
off the pace in 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, tailed off
held up off the pace in mid-division, closer tracking leaders 5th, travelling well enough in 3rd approaching 3 out, weakened between last two
held up and behind, some headway 4 out, weakened before next, modest 6th when mistake 2 out
ducked left start and lost ground, off the pace in mid-division at 3rd, outpaced and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
Just The Man beat a subsequent winner in a handicap here last month before trying his luck in better company at Aintree. He clearly likes this sharp track but may struggle to give weight to SAYADAM, who is less exposed and was still improving before undergoing wind surgery in January. Mcpherson is probably capable of better and may prove best of the rest.
Just The Man (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Not always fluent, held up in rear, tried to close before 3 out but no impression, soon well beaten, tailed off, 9th of 16, dist behind Hacker Des Places (11-2) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Sayadam (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, close up 7th, led 8th, ridden and headed narrowly before last, kept on flat but could not match winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Charles Ritz (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Fort Nelson 150-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 4th of 8, 34 1/2l behind Whizz Kid (11-10) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Into The Sunset (IRE) 125-1 (12-2) Towards rear, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 25 1/2l behind Redemption Day (12-2) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec.
Lighthouse Mill (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden into midfield 2 out, kept on, 4th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Stormin Crossgales (11-6) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Lady Tara Moss 125-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Well Done Dani 80-1 (10-12) In rear, struggling from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Fight For It (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, effort 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Obsidian Knight (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Feb.
Mcpherson 11-2 (10-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 4th close home, 5th of 6, dist behind Parisencore (11-6) at Haydock 2m mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Torino (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, behind from 4th, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Whizz Kid (11-10) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
