held up, in touch 3rd, challenged on bit when fell 2 out
held up, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on to take 3rd flat
tracked leader and keen, ridden 3 out, in 3rd and staying on when brough down 2 out
held up behind, ridden after 5th and soon outpaced, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 2nd, chased leader, led and hit 5th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakening, left 2nd 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd flat
tracked leaders and keen, led approaching 2nd, headed 5th, joined 2 out when left clear, driven out
If FACTOTUM can turn his flat form into hurdles form then Jonjo O'Neill's charge is the one to beat here ahead of Springfield Raki and Martin's Friend. The pick comes here off the back of a two timer on the level, the latest at Wolverhampton in a race where the form is looking strong. He'll be able to handle the ground as shown when a decent looking runner up in a warm looking maiden last summer and if he can transfer his skills to this sphere he should score. Springfield Raki is starting to build on some decent bumper form including when not being disgraced behind the high class Karabak on debut. Since that run he's won twice in bumpers and put in a nice run last time when finding one just too good in a similar race. Martin's Friend has improved from both starts over timber so far and will have at least place claims again while Alan King's yard are in good form and Calaficial should also be able to build on some good bumper efforts to improve on his third start over hurdles. You may have to take the selection¿s jumping ability on faith but Factotum should be good enough.
Calaficial (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 20l behind Oddshoes (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Factotum 3-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Laurel Creek (8-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran (flat).
Kingsholm 20-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft in Jan '07.
Laybach (IRE) Bach colt out of River Breeze.
Springfield Raki 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead last, driven and headed near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Trafalgar Road (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Falsino (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, lost touch after 4 out and soon tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Optimus Maximus (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Martin's Friend (USA) 50-1 (10-7) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, ridden from 3f out, weakening when hit last, 5th of 12, 20l behind Valento (10-7) at Warwick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Monterrico 9-2fav (9-2) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 12, 4l behind Bollin Greta (8-9) at Redcar 1m 6f hcap (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Maynooth Prince (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Lost tch 7; to & pu 13, in a race won by Father Owen (12-0) at North Carlton 3m ptp in Feb, 9 ran.
