in touch, headway to lead 4th, clear when ridden 2 out, just held on
held up, effort after 4th, beaten when blundered last
held up, headway 3rd to be in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from last
with leader, led 2nd to 3rd, ridden 4th, soon weakened and behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch to 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, chased winner 3rd, ridden 2 out, weakening when blundered last
held up mid-division, slight effort after 4th, soon ridden and weakened
held up rear, ridden and much to do approaching 3 out, kept on to chase winner approaching last, just failed
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
led to 2nd, prominent when hit 4th, ridden and weakening when blundered 3 out
always in rear, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
The booking of Tony McCoy suggests that Dennick is the preferred of Pat Haslam's pair, and he gets the nod over Etoile Russe, with David's Symphony, Garhoud and Inchcape Rock seen as potential dangers. The fact that Pat Haslam sends his pair all the way to Chepstow from North Yorkshire shows that he means business, and as they are both in to be claimed for ¿15,000, he probably does not want to lose with either at present as they both look good for another win or two at this level at least. Dennick absolutely bolted up in a selling hurdle at Doncaster in December, and was kept in trip with a spin on the Flat at Lingfield last week when he did very well to finish third over a mile. Back over timber, he should prove difficult to beat and can account for his stablemate Etoile Russe. The latter was pulled up at Aintree in October after breaking a blood vessel, but was partnered by Tony McCoy when scoring at Bangor in September and obviously has a bit of ability. McCoy has in all probability chosen the right one here though. David's Symphony is fit from the Flat but needs to brush up his jumping, while Garhoud has a first-time visor to sharpen him up. Inchcape Rock has taken on better company in the past, but the drop to selling grade at Taunton last time did not help, and he has a bit to do against the selection Dennick, who should collect.
Dennick 2-1fav (10-2) Always prominent, led 3rd, clear 3 out, canter, won at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (G) gd in Dec beating Another Misk (10-4) by 17l, 15 ran.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, clear to 3rd, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Pace Shot (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
David's Symphony (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) With leaders when fell in race won by Heathcote (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Innpursuit 100-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered 4th, weakened under pressure after next, 11th of 24, well behind Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Smokincanon 250-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 36l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd.
Garhoud 9-1 (9-9) In rear and soon pushed along, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 14, 17l behind Methodical (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd.
Inchcape Rock 9-4 (10-10) Prominent, carried wide and lost place bend approaching 5th, ridden 6th, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Strathtay (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gf in Nov.
Strathtay 7-2fav (10-11) Led until after 3rd, jumped slowly and mistake 5th, soon lost place, not fluent 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Parsley's Return (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
