chased winner, closed up 13th, 6 lengths down in 2nd and going okay when fell 17th
hit 4th, never on terms with leaders, tailed off 15th, well detached when refused 3 out
always well detached in rear, continued in own time, tailed off
blundered 1st, never on terms with leaders, ridden 5th, left poor 3rd 17th
held up, hit 13th, left moderate 4th at 17th, no chance when left poor 3rd 2 out, blundered last
raced in 3rd, pushed along after 11th, blundered next, left 2nd at 17th, hit next, no chance
jumped well, made virtually all, 6 lengths ahead when left clear 17th
raced in 4th, not on terms with leaders, tailed off 15th, blundered 17th and pulled up next
Ferdy Murphy has got his string in good heart but his runner You're Special has not looked like winning since landing the Kim Muir in 2006 so he looks best watched in a race taken to go to BANNISTER LANE, who gets the vote over Bolachoir. The last mentioned was pulled up in his latest start at Navan but had run well at Clonmel previously and he has solid claims if able to reproduce that form on his return to the UK. Oakfield Legend lost no caste in defeat behind Hermano Cordobes at Newton Abbot last time and, having gone well here until falling on his only previous start at the track, he has to be respected. Wickford has a bit to find on official BHA ratings as does Mr Big but the latter does come from the in-form Charlie Mann stable and he has been running consistently well this term. Several have chances but it is hard to get away from Don McCain's Bannister Lane, who made all when landing the Royal Artillery Gold Cup here last month and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice.
Bannister Lane 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, 2 lengths ahead and staying on when left well clear last, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Feb beating The Big Breakfast (11-3) by 20l, 8 ran.
Bolachoir (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Bad mistake 1st, soon towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Retrievethelegend (10-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
Wickford (IRE) 14-1 (12-6) Made most until 4 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Murphy's Cardinal (11-9) at Haydock 3m hts chs (3) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Craven (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden, weakened approaching last, 9th of 12, 30l behind Milton Des Bieffes (9-11) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Jamadiel (IRE) (12-0) won at Naul 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb beating Dusty Doolan (12-0) by a 0.00, 10 ran.
Mr Big (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Soon in mid-division, hampered 11th, headway 13th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 25l behind Ballyvaden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Oakfield Legend 6-1 (10-10) Led 3rd to 14th, led 16th, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Hermano Cordobes (10-1) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
You're Special (USA) 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 12, well behind Church Island (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
