chased leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
prominent and keen, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
led and pulled hard, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, hit last
in touch, lost place and mistake 5th, rallied 3 out, weakened after next
mistake 2nd, always behind
always towards rear
towards rear, headway 5th, weakened after next
in touch, headway 5th, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, eased towards finish
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 2 out, hit last, weakened flat
The in-form Nicky Henderson can secure victory with Cunning Pursuit although Rood Boy and Reservoir are given due deference. Cunning Pursuit ran a solid enough race last time out at Taunton and given that that was his first run for some time, an improvement can confidently be anticipated. He beat Rood Boy earlier in the season and can be expected to confirm form with Jeff King's representative. Reservoir has had two starts thus far at Kempton Park. He did not have too much chance with Etendard Indien on the first of those but he was clear enough of the rest to suggest he had a future over hurdles. Dumfries got within four lengths of Derby winner, North Light as a juvenile. He is watched in the market in case of support. Canadian Storm is prone to making mistakes at his hurdles while Oasis Banus does not look to be one of David Johnson's star performers on the evidence we have seen thus far. Cunning Pursuit can maintain the recent form of the Seven Barrows team and he secures our selection.
Cunning Pursuit 7-2fav Mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Space Star at Taunton 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs.
Rood Boy (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, reminders 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 14, 40l behind Cerium at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Canadian Storm 6-1 Keen and led, soon clear, hit 2nd, stumbled and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Hold The Line at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Nov, 5 ran.
Cousin Nicky 4-1 Held up, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 46l behind Pass Me A Dime at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Dumfries 40-1 Chased leaders to approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, 33l behind Rhapsody Rose at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (F) gd.
Indigo Sky (IRE) 11-1 Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 12, well behind Afrad at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Killer Cat (FR) 50-1 Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, beaten when not fluent next, 5th of 9, 25l behind Mighty Man at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd.
Oasis Banus (IRE) 40-1 Took keen hold, always towards rear, 13th of 16, well behind Rhapsody Rose at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (F) gd.
Reservoir (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, led narrowly before 3 out, just headed 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, weakened run-in, 7th of 16, 9l behind Briareus at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs.
Penny Stall 14-1 Mistake 1st and 2nd, held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 27l behind Etendard Indien at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Land of Nod (IRE) 150-1 Prominent until 5th, soon behind, 10th of 12, well behind Afrad at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
