in rear, hit 9th, blundered 13th, headway to chase winner approaching 4 out, one pace from last
with leader, went 2nd approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, blundered badly 10th, soon in rear and a lot to do, went 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression
led, headed briefly approaching 5th, headed 5 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led briefly approaching 5th, pushed along approaching 10th, led 14th, driven out, stayed on well
Nonrunner
WIND INSTRUMENT is a confident call on current form though Bubble Boy and Petite Margot have previous efforts that entitle to them more than just a passing consideration. Alan King's gelding showed plenty of guts under pressure to take a race at Sandown Park and with just a further 4lb rise for those labours, one would imagine that connections would feel happier that the handicapper didn't tag on more. There is a very cogent argument to suggest that he is well treated versus some of his older form. Bubble Boy represents the resurgent yard of Brendan Powell. His form is patchy though decent ground and small fields have suited in the past. Petite Margot was once high class though age has caught up with her. She made an uncharacterstic error at Exeter in the Devon National which would worry anyone, however, on the positive, the present mark of 112 seems fair for what she has achieved previously. Cousin Nicky had solid form for Philip Hobbs and might be asked to make it from the fall of the tapes. Quattrocento is a confirmed course specialist who should not be ignored. Buck Mulligan has improved out of all recognition since joining Evan Williams though an 11lb hike for victory at Ludlow has proved to be a significant steadier. One or two of these are regrettably on the downgrade but Wind Instrument seems to be at least clinging on to some of that earlier ability.
Buck Mulligan 4-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, fell next, in a race won by Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always front rank, led 13th to 4 out, chased leader, stayed challenging, led soon after last, driven and stayed on gamely, held on, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Maktu (10-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Quattrocento (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, 47l behind Carrickmines (10-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Cousin Nicky 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, lost place when not fluent 5th, rallied 9th, struggling when mistake 11th, pulled up before next, in a race won by The Shy Man (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Petite Margot 10-1 (11-0) Blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Teeming Rain (10-10) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 13 ran.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, jumped left 8th, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Fine Parchment (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
