took keen hold, in touch in mid-division on inside, pushed along when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, no extra flat
jumped left, always behind, hampered 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 4 out, lost place approaching 3 out, soon well beaten
held up towards rear, headway on outside 2 out, led flat, stayed on well, clear towards finish
chased leader, challenged 5th, not fluent 4 out, led before 2 out, 4th and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, effort after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no impression on winner towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten before 2 out
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, fell 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Proven on the ground and over course and distance, APPLE ROCK has the added bonus of Kevin Brogan in the saddle and can follow up his latest victory at Hereford off a 7lb higher mark. Skylanna Breeze seeks a fourth win in six starts this season but an absence since November would be a concern and he might prefer a quicker surface. Hart Of Steel has yet to convince when going beyond 2m and Game Socks disappointed on soft going at Ascot but Poldark Cross is interesting making his handicap debut.
Hart Of Steel (IRE) 85-40 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length down when mistake last, plugged on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Winds Of Fire (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Aurora Thunder 25-1 (11-12) Always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Asylo (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) (cp) eff 13; lft 2nd 3 out; nt r.o, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Major Ridge (11-0) at Hutton Rudby 3m in Mar.
Game Socks (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Midfield, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 12, 37l behind Emir Sacree (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Western Rules (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Get Out The Gate (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Apple Rock (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside 7th, not fluent 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, led final bend, hard pressed flat, holding 2nd close home, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Dubai Guest (10-12) by nk, 15 ran.
Mustang Alpha (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prominent, pushed along and weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Bushypark (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Poldark Cross (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Paddys Motorbike (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Bobby Bow (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on the inner, niggled along to dispute lead approaching 8th, took outright lead after 3 out, soon outpaced and weakened after 2 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Barbados Buck's (11-5) at Southwell 3m (4) gs in Dec.
Skylanna Breeze (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Alright Marlene (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Loughermore (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, plugged on final 3f, no impression, 5th of 9, 19l behind King D'Argent (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f (5) pol in Feb.
That's The Badger (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, no impression before 3 out, some progress flat but no chance, 9th of 14, 18 3/4l behind Pozo Emery (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Don Juan Du Gouet (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 11, dist behind Hydroplane (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Gamesters Icon 18-1 (10-12) Prominent, niggled along before 2 out, soon ridden for effort, held by front pair when blundered last, 3rd of 9, 17 1/4l behind Fontaine Collonges (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Jan.
