mid-division, effort and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader and keen, challenged 5th, one pace approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on well
held up in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up and dismounted towards finish
held up, headway 4 out to go prominent, weakened 3 out
led and keen, headed 5th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway after 4 out, outpaced next, hung left 2 out, rallied to chase winner run-in
close up, led 5th, not fluent 2 out, mistake last, soon headed, kept on
A moderate bunch here but Desert Nova has disappointed on his most recent outings, however could return to form here and land it at the main expense of Pay On and Chigorin. Prominent tactics were applied when he finished behind Barney at Kelso and it will be interesting to see if they are adopted once again. It may be that he is best carrying a low weight in a better class of race but at the likely price he could provide value. Pay On brings the best form to the race, a never nearer third being the main feature of his last outing. Whether he can step up on that remains to be seen while Chigorin could not go the pace at Newcastle on the quicker surface and will be more at home on the softer surface. Bijou Dan has contested some quite hot novice hurdles and while never getting involved, market support on his handicap debut is worth taking note of. Desert Nova is the tentative choice in a moderate contest.
Desert Nova (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, outpaced when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 21l behind Little Bob (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Bijou Dan 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, 5th of 16, 20l behind Kealshore Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Duke of Malfi 28-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, weakened from 4th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Lazy Darren (10-7) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Top Mark 40-1 (11-3) Always behind, 7th of 15, 23l behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Pay On (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Chigorin 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 13, 7l behind Longdale (10-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Howards Dream (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led briefly after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Northern Alliance (11-7) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Contendo 15-2 (10-12) Always behind, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Dalawan (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 19 ran.
Soul Angel 250-1 (10-7) Always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Marsam (11-13) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
