held up in rear, headway before 5 out, left in 3rd next, stayed on into 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge next, kept on same pace
held up, headway before 5 out, left in 2nd next, struggling and lost place before 3 out, soon one pace
led, headed after 5 out, fell next
chased leaders, 2nd after 4th, led after 5 out, drew clear before last, ran on well
tracked leader, jumped right and mistakes throughout, lost place 7th, soon in rear, behind when pulled up after 5 out
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, left in 4th next, soon no impression, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd close home
Poker School was just beaten off this mark at Wetherby in November and has been waiting for the ground to dry out but has a relatively inexperienced claimer on board and really needs further. Little Jon hinted at a revival at Wincanton last month but needs a much softer surface. Today Please has claims on his second at Southwell but has done all of his winning at a lower level. Ut Majeur Aulmes and VALSEUR DU GRANVAL are potentially well treated but the former is another who would have preferred some give in the ground. Tom George’s charge is back on a winning mark and may be some value in a wide-open contest.
Poker School (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 9th, mistake 11th, well held when jumped left last, lost modest 3rd last strides, 4th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Mr Medic (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 5th, headway and plugged on in 4th from after 4 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Rock On Rocky (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Little Jon 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, with leaders 4th, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Somchine (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up in touch on inside, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened from next, 7th of 8, 34l behind Favorito Buck's (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Today Please (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged on inside 4 out, led narrowly soon after, headed when mistake next, ridden after 2 out, kept on until no extra and well held flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Ulis De Vassy (10-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Walden Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In rear, headway before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Vocaliser (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
