held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened last
in touch, headway and chased leader 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on well but not pace of winner
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up next
chased winner, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
made all, quickened on bit 2 out, shaken up last, ran on well flat
mid-division, jumped left 2nd, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, some headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, hit 5th, ridden and chased winner 2 out, kept on from last
always towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on one pace from last
Gauvain can improve enough to come out on top over the likes of That's My Charlie, Rosenblatt, and one of the Pipe newcomers Commander Vic. There appear to be plenty of potential future winners in this opening event on the card, but our vote goes to Gauvain who proved that he can act on soft ground when scoring on the Flat in his native Germany. Despite initial question marks over his ability to stay two miles, Charlie Mann's charge caught the eye when staying on strongly from the rear to be third to Money Order on his Newbury debut last month, and with a bit of improvement, he should be capable of opening his account. Obviously, with such a large turnout of unexposed individuals, he cannot be considered a good thing, but has more chance than most here. That's My Charlie has plenty of bumper experience, but is unproven on the ground and indeed over timber, while Rosenblatt was pulled up on his last start in August and is best watched. Missis Potts had no chance against the long odds-on Granit Jack at Taunton but stayed on well, and as her dam is a half-sister to Denman, we can assume that she will make up into a nice chaser one day. David Pipe complicates matters by saddling no less than five runners, including the Timmy Murphy-partnered Commander Vic. The market will no doubt sort out which of them is the most fancied, but our idea of the winner is Gauvain.
Commander Vic (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Count Kristo 33-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 6, 18l behind Oscar Snowman (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Gauvain (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Money Order (10-12) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Kalamazoo (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Not fluent, held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 42l behind Master Eddy (11-3) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Lockstock (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 21l behind Global Strategy (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Nostringsattached (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 25l behind Viper (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Sidney Charles (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until after 5th, soon behind, 10th of 14, well behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
That's My Charlie (NZ) 11-10fav (11-0) Held up, headway over 6f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and hung left, weakened over 1f out, 2nd of 6, 12l behind True Star (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Willing Weasel (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden 4th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 17 ran.
Missis Potts 8-1 (10-10) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 7th, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 11, well behind Granit Jack (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Beau Nash (USA) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until 6th, soon behind, 11th of 14, well behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Dada Cup (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Chased winner until after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Granit Jack (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Norfolk Jive (USA) 12-1 (10-7) Never a factor, 9th of 16, 10l behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Ocean Pride (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Prominent, kept on well from last, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Wise Owl (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
The Sportsman (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) In touch, keen, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 16, 31l behind American Cricket (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Triple Bluff 100-1 (10-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, went moderate 4th next, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 38l behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Mission Man 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 19l behind Flying Bantam (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb (Flat).
Rosenblatt (GER) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, headway on outside after 5th, ridden and weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dazzling Jim (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
