not always fluent, chased leader, challenged 4th, led next, edged right last bend, hung right after 2 out, mistake and headed last, no impression flat
chased leader, not always fluent, ridden after 3 out, beaten before 2 out
mid-division, blundered and no impression on leaders 3 out
held up towards rear, headway from 5th, went 2nd when hit 2 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on well
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, weakened 3 out
mistake 1st, always behind
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
jumped right at times, led until 3 out, lost 2nd before next, no impression after
not always fluent, rear of mid-division, well beaten 5th
in rear, jumped right 1st, tailed off 4th
held up towards rear, well beaten 3 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, well beaten from 3 out, mistake last
behind, ridden 4th, never a chance
The Cob made much of the running when second on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter and should have learned from the experience. Shareef Star won on the all-weather last year for Sir Michael Stoute but may just need this run. Trincomalee is 2-2 around here but his hurdles win came over 2m5f and NICKOLSON may have more pace. Olly Murphy’s six-year-old dotted up at Wincanton in October and could be anything.
Nickolson (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Always handy, led 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Nebuchadnezzar (11-0) by 4l, 9 ran.
Trincomalee 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, stayed on well flat, won at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb beating Firak (11-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
Eyes Up (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 11, dist behind One Touch (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Hooligan (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along turning in, in 5th place final 100 yards, 5th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Tile Tapper (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Llanbeau 150-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 4th, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Calva D'Auge (11-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Manintheshadows (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Craigneiche (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Shareef Star 10-3 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced and beaten, 9th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Star Of Southwold (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jun.
The Cob (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made most, not fluent 3rd, headed after 3 out, one pace between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Ubetya (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Celtic Tara 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 10, 21 3/4l behind Fugitives Drift (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Leading Knight (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Keen on outside, handy, ridden after 5th, soon left behind by leaders, 5th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Zoffee (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Rollo (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, no chance from 3 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Allart (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Vorashann (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced and struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 32 3/4l behind Solo (11-3) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Checkinforsquirels (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Unseated rider start, at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Blood Eagle (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Kashagan (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
