held up in touch, chased leaders after 5 out, ridden after 4 out, chased winner last, no impression
held up, headway halfway, led 4 out, headed after next, lost 2nd last, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 11th, tailed off
led to 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced approaching 4 out, led after next, clear approaching last
prominent, lost place halfway, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 12th, soon weakened
led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened next
held up, mistake 4th, behind when hit 9th, tailed off
Hard to rule out many of these and from a condensed shortlist of JOHNNY ROCHE, Guns And Butter and Categorical, it is the first mentioned who receives the nomination. The selection was a winner over this course and distance back in January 2008 when disposing of the fair yardstick Day Du Roy with little problem. He was subsequently beaten here later in the month but he looks sure to progress this season with another Summer on his back. Assuming the market signs are not wholly negative, then a big run can be expected from this son of Oscar. South Bronx drops in trip today and is expected to put up a bolder show than we have seen recently. He beat subsequent Cheltenham winner Hoopy at Perth in 2008 and is not one to take lightly. Stoneriggs Merc is consistent but that is not enough for backers of late, so a bigger danger could be Guns And Butter. There appears to be little doubt that Nicky Richards' gelding has ability, and a mark of 110 for this handicap bow looks unlikely to be the ceiling of his ability. He shares top-weight with Categorical, a previous course and distance winner who looks high enough in the weights now after some consistent performances in defeat. Pen Gwen has not lived up to his potential, whilst Za Beau has more on his plate in trying to follow up a win in weaker company last time. Benmadigan needs to step up on his debut run over fences last time and whilst it is feasible that he might, it is Johnny Roche who is selected.
Categorical 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 4 out, ridden next, hit 2 out, no extra after, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Chrysander (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs in Feb.
Guns And Butter (IRE) 15-8fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed last, kept on flat, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Pen Gwen (FR) 25-1 (10-3) Led, headed after 4th, led again 5 out, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Issaquah (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Johnny Roche (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden and chased winner approaching 4 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 7, 16l behind The Joker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan '08.
South Bronx (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Led, headed 14th, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 8, 42l behind Brave Rebellion (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Behind, hampered 6th, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 12l behind Montevideo (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Za Beau (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Always close up, ridden 3 out, driven to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Kilkenny All Star (11-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Benmadigan (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Always behind, ridden 5 out, weakening when hit next, 4th of 10, 38l behind Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
