tracked leader until after 3rd, stayed handy, slightly hampered 14th and next, challenged 3 out, about 1 1/2 lengths down when left in lead last, stayed on
led, jumped left, headed after 3rd, led 5th, headed before 8th, led 11th, headed approaching 13th, lost place before 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 15th, well beaten 3 out
tracked leaders, last 13th, headway when not fluent 3 out, left 2nd last, stayed on flat
tracked leaders, led when not fluent 3 out, about 1 1/2 lengths ahead when jinked left, then right and unseated rider just before taking off last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 3rd, headed 5th, not fluent next, led again after 8th, headed 11th, led before 13th, headed 3 out, pecked 2 out, one pace when left 3rd last, rider dropped whip flat
Coombe Hill has won this for the last two years and the veteran has plenty in his favour again. He scored again over course and distance in January and was taking on better opposition when only fourth last time at Leicester. But he has to concede 15lb to MERRION SQUARE, taking into account the latter rider's claim. Paul Nicholls' nine-year-old only found one too good in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown last month and a repeat of that effort would probably suffice. Gale Force Oscar hasn't shown much so far this year but Foynes Island won between the flags last month and is closely matched with Coombe Hill on previous form.
Coombe Hill 7-1 (12-2) Held up in touch on outside, every chance before 4 out, one pace next, not fluent and no extra 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 29l behind Palypso De Creek (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) sft in Feb.
Gale Force Oscar (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Not fluent 1st, tracked winner, lost 2nd 11th, jumped badly left after, no chance with leading pair from 12th, well tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Bobs Law (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Degenerate (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Led 3-5; wknd 15, 5th of 8, 30l behind Turtle Too (11-0) at Blackmore & Sparkford Vale 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Foynes Island (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) (tt) ww; led last; rdn out, won at Mendip Farmers 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Fiulin (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Merrion Square (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Edgy and mounted on course, held up in mid-division, blundered 10th, tracking leading pair when hampered 17th, 2nd soon after 3 out and ridden, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied run-in, always just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Loose Chips (12-2) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Tandori 7-1 (11-7) Ap; ev ch last; one pce, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Carrigkerry (12-0) at Hampshire 3m ptp gd in Mar.
