behind, headway and mid-division 7th, lost place 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up
led after 1st, headed after 3 out, ridden next, one pace flat
always towards rear
raced keenly, led to after 1st, tracked leader to 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
behind when bumped 1st, outpaced 9th, tailed off from 2 out
prominent, tracked leader 8th, led after 3 out, driven clear next, ridden out
in touch, outpaced 8th, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching next, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway 8th, chased leaders when hit 3 out, no impression approaching next
chased leader to 9th, soon outpaced
behind, jumped right 1st, reminders after 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, mistake and lost place 6th, soon behind
held up in rear, some headway when fell
A very competitive handicap starts the card, with Count The Cost, Pottsy's Joy and Litzinsky all having strong claims and we will take a chance with the former. John Wade's six-year-old appreciated the return to hurdling last time when only just beaten by Risetotheoccasion. The third was well beaten off and the fourth has subsequently landed a chase at Fakenham, so the form does have a solid look about it and he should go close off his current mark. Pottsy's Joy hit winning form over course and distance last time, beating Tiger Talk in a tight finish, he appears to be on the upgrade and should play a major role. Litzinsky caused a bit of a shock when beating Abzuson last time and if that wasn't a flash in the pan he should be involved in the finish. Pebble Bay and Blackergreen look best of the remainder, but Count The Cost looks the pick on recent form and gets the vote
Ryhall (IRE) 7-1 Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 27l behind Classic Capers at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Count The Cost (IRE) 5-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, rallied after 2 out, every chance when went left and mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Risetotheoccasion at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Jan.
Pottsy's Joy 5-1 Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Dec beating Tiger Talk by a hd, 15 ran.
Ringside Jack 11-1 Chased leaders, led 5th, headed 4 out, ridden next, kept on from last, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Assumetheposition at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy in Feb.
Litzinsky 10-1 Mid-division, headway 8th, not fluent and lost place 3 out, rallied next, led approaching last, pushed out, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Feb beating Abzuson by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pebble Bay 9-1 Tracked leaders, led approaching 7th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Jan beating Persian Point by 2l, 15 ran.
Piraeus (NZ) 6-1 In touch, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, effort next, chance last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Corlande at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Wave Back (IRE) 8-1 Held up, headway to track leader 4th, led between last 2, clear last, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Feb beating It's Rumoured by 8l, 15 ran.
