jumped right and unseated rider 1st
soon prominent, led 3 out, soon headed, no extra when pecked last
always prominent, mistake 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat
led until 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, headway approaching 4th, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied last, stayed on flat
prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, pecked 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, onepace from next
hampered 1st, held up, smooth headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, comfortably
held up, headway 7th, pushed along after next, weakened after 3 out
held up and took keen hold, weakened 4 out
Keltic Bard is confidently expected to oblige en-route to an eventual crack at the Arkle, with only Celtic Star and Hey Ref likely to give him a race. Charlie Mann has high hopes for Keltic Bard this season after his useful career over hurdles. He made L'Ange Au Ciel pull out all the stops on his chase debut at Exeter and does not meet anything of the same class here. Celtic Star was not in the same league to the selection over timber and makes his chase debut after scoring over the smaller obstacles at Newton Abbot. A bigger threat may be Hey Ref, a dual bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles at Haydock in February. He has the scope to make a name for himself in time, but on this occasion, like the rest, will do well to stop Keltic Bard from visiting the winner's enclosure.
