Verdict

Blazing Saddles came up short over today’s trip last time having earlier won over 2m at Stratford when beating VALENTINE’S TURF (NAP). The latter has subsequently posted a much better effort when placed at Taunton and looks worth another try over this extra distance with first-time headgear possibly bringing further progress. Gyllen also finished closer on fast ground at Taunton recently while Numbers Man should be noted on his handicap debut.

Formwatch

Numbers Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent and beaten 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Scarpia (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Mar.

Getaway Cory (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 32 3/4l behind Catchin Time (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.

Blazing Saddles 3-1 (12-6) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 7th, led again before 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, well held from last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Mystic Court (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Apr.

Folly Gate (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leader, close up 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Chez Hans (12-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Apr.

Gyllen (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place 2nd, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out until last, no extra and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 13, 4l behind Numero Uno (10-11) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gf in Apr.

Helford River 11-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, driven after 4 out, disputing 4th when slithered badly on landing 3 out, lost any chance and pulled up before next, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr.

Secret Potion (GER) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, nudged along before 3 out, made no impression from 3 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Smurphy Enki (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.

Antidote (IRE) 250-1 (11-2) Off the pace in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, weakened quickly, 13th of 15, dist behind Balko Saint (10-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Mar.

Jobesgreen Lad 4-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on before last, 3rd of 14, 30l behind Aronius (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.

Valentine's Turf (FR) 9-2fav (10-11) Midfield, awkward 3rd, headway when not fluent 3 out and ridden, close up 2 out, outpaced last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Mi Laddo (10-0) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gf in Apr.

Hymn And A Prayer 150-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, struggling over 2f out, 9th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Floy Joy (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (5) pol in Feb.

Alberic (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 14, 18 3/4l behind O'Rahilly (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Apr.

Comeragh Lad (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Jumped right, led, dived through 1st, headed after 2nd, led 5th, headed after 6th, every chance final bend, soon outpaced by winner, 4th and weakening last, 4th of 14, 24l behind Mystic Court (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Apr.