led, headed approaching 7th, outpaced 3 out, rallied to go 2nd after 2 out, always held by winner
prominent until ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up after last
held up mid-division, ridden 4th, stayed on from 2 out without being dangerous
held up, headway 5th, led on bit approaching 3 out, soon clear, very easily
prominent, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed before next, weakened after 2 out
keen, with leader, weakened 7th, soon tailed off
always behind, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
Nonrunner
A wide open handicap here and there is very little between the leading lights but the principals look to be Passenger Omar,Desert Tommy and Silver Birch and the narrow vote is given to Desert Tommy. The selection won well under similar conditions last time out when beating Classic Sight and although he has a penalty for that win he looks a progressive type and he is taken to defy the handicapper. Silver Birch rates the main danger on his best form as he is well weighted over hurdles compared to chasing but he ran with no enthusiasm last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Passenger Omar is another that could go well as he won well last time when beating Jiver but that form has since been let down and he looks worth taking on at likely odds. Of the remainder Mayoun is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but his best form is on a faster surface and with this in mind for the winner we return to Desert Tommy.
Keepers Mead (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Led to approaching 2nd, chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 16, 40l behind Passenger Omar (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Silver Birch (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) In touch, mistake at 9th, weakened next, held off when pulled before 16th pulled up at the 16th in race won by All In The Stars (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft, 9 ran.
Passenger Omar (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Jiver (11-2) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, every chance 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 18, 16l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Bunkum 16-1 (11-4) Held up rear, headway 7th, 4th when hit 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 18, 11l behind Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Miss Fahrenheit (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Soon mid-division, headway 7th, ridden next, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 18, 15l behind Desert Tommy (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Mayoun (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 4 out, bad mistake 2 out, every chance last, unlucky, 2nd of 13, hd behind Knighton Lad (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Desert Tommy 8-1 (11-9) Prominent, hit 6th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Classic Sight (11-0) by 7l, 18 ran.
