chased leaders, led 6th, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, kept on towards finish, just held for 2nd
led, headed 4th, ridden after 3 out, ridden and weakened appraoching last, soon eased
chased leaders, weakened going to 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, blundered next, one pace
tracked leaders, hit 3rd and 4th, ridden going to last, kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, headway after 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 6th, chased winner after 3 out, no impression from next
in rear, weakened from 5th
held up in mid-division, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, hampered next
held up towards rear, headway and blundered 5th, one pace when fell 2 out
Punters who side with ALONG THE NILE are clearly taking a chance but he has claims in a race where Nodform William and Tipsy Indian are the obvious dangers. Along The Nile ran particularly badly in a competitive handicap at Musselburgh in which he had run well the previous year and the application of blinkers suggests that the cause was not physical which is a concern. However, he didn't run too badly on his reappearance, should be suited by the track and the conditions and has leading claims on his best form. Nodform William doesn't have too much to find with the selection and has an obvious chance having run well in a similar contest at the track over 3 furlongs further last time. The shorter trip will suit and he's probably the more solid option of the pair. Tipsy Indian has something to find at the weights but he drops in grade and comes into the race on the back of a reasonable effort in January and could get involved but we'll row in with Along The Nile.
Along The Nile 14-1 (10-3) Alwys behind, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Eradicate (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Anduril 16-1 (10-1) In touch, headway and effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Vecchio Senso (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Arty Farmer 100-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 34l behind Good Old Thyme (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Davids City (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Slowly away and mistakes, soon behind, pulled up 4th, in a race won by Vital Plot (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn hdl sft in Aug '08, 14 ran.
Diktatorship (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Led until 6th, ridden and every chance after next, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Putney Bridge (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft in Feb.
Its Beyond Me 250-1 (10-9) Pulled up, held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Naughty Diesel 250-1 (10-9) Mistakes 2nd and next, behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Gringo (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) sft, 11 ran.
Nodform William 4-1fav (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Hassadin (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f sell (5) gs in Feb.
Qaasi (USA) 18-1 (10-1) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 17, 40l behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Skye But N Ben 16-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, never dangerous, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Prioryjo (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hcp hld 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Tipsy Indian 20-1 (10-1) Led to after 2nd, tracked leader, led again 3 out, headed before next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Akarshan (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Little Lily Morgan 33-1 (11-2) Always behind, 10th of 15, well behind Janal (10-4) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hcp hdl (0-95) (5) gd in Feb '09.
Spruzzo 150-1 (10-12) Pushed along towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, 36l behind Screaming Brave (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Terrymene Prince 100-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader approaching 2nd, jumped right 6th, every chance well before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Calzaghe (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Feb.
