chased clear leader, led approaching 6th, ridden, headed after 3 out, one pace from next
chased clear leader until 5th, not fluent next, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway when hit 3 out, close 2nd, travelling well when not much room, hit 2 out, soon ridden, switched left flat, kept on same pace
held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well
led, soon clear, hit 4th, hung left, headed after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, struggling 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up after 3 out
held up, headway when hit 3 out, effort before next, hit last, kept on same pace
held up, hit 4th, effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
The finale looks to be between Solitary Palm, Tayarat and BAZART, with our preference being for the last named. None of these are in the greatest of form, but Bazart is usually involved at the finish. Placed in seven of his last nine races, he's yet to break his duck over obstacles; first time cheek-pieces may wring out that extra bit that's needed, he's well in at the weights with Bernie Wharfe claiming five pounds, and the ground shouldn't be a problem for this dual flat winner at Longchamp. Solitary Palm has spent his entire career hurdling, and last time out was his best performance for a couple of years. Whether he bounces or can repeat that remains open to question, but he's certainly not shown consistency in the past. Tayarat hasn't shown too much to be encouraged about to date, but may have enough improvement to beat these, and Evan Williams' runners can never be discounted. A Bit Of Fun is having his first public outing in nearly three years and any market support may be encouraging, but we'll stick with Bazart.
Beechwood 7-1 (10-5) In touch, hit 4th and 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Rawaabet (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Always prominent, led 3 out, headed and mistake 2 out, mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Forty Five (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Nearby 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 16, 28l behind Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
A Bit of Fun 20-1 (11-2) Behind from 3rd, hampered fifth, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Henry (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May '06, 11 ran.
Monsieur (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Behind, pulled hard behind, headway 4th, led 5th, headed 6th, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 12, 38l behind King Caine (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Tayarat (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 29l behind Torphichen (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bazart 7-2 (10-12) Held up behind leaders, staying on but ridden in 5th when not much room after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Bugsy's Boy (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Marino Prince (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Held up well in rear, headway after 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 21l behind Samsons Son (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Compton Star 11-2 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and weakened after 5th, 5th of 7, 29l behind New Rackheath (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
