tracked leaders, driven and effort 3 out, weakened next
in touch, pushed along after 3 out, good headway next, soon chasing leader, led just before last, readily
held up in touch, slow and pushed along 4th, soon behind, pulled up last
behind, slow 1st, mistake 4th, under pressure halfway, tailed up when pulled up last
mid-division, under pressure when not fluent 2 out, soon behind pulled up last
led, hard ridden after 2 out, headed before last, kept on under pressure
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
prominent, chased leaders and under pressure 2 out, weakened approaching last
DOCTORED may be the best option in a race that won't take a lot of winning. Chiff Chaff is chief amongst the dangers along with Lady Samantha. Doctored ran out an impressive winner of a similar contest over course and distance just over a year ago on similar ground. He's 7lbs higher than he was on that occasion but connections have engaged a promising conditional and he has conditions in his favour. Lady Samantha also has a heavy ground victory to her name although that came over three miles so there has to be a concern about this shorter trip as well as two modest performances on her most recent outings. Chiff Chaff is having her first run for a shrewd yard and it would be no surprise to see her attract support. She has form in soft ground and may well improve for her new connections who have engaged a top conditional. Charlotte Street ran in snatches last time but has possibilities whilst the newcomers to handicapping should be monitored for signs of confidence but Doctored has stronger claims on the book than most.
Finnish Melody 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 4th, ridden and weakened after next, 8th of 11, well behind Quinte Du Chatelet (12-4) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Ban Uisce (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 8th, 7th of 9, well behind Restless Harry (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) hvy in Nov.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Prominent main group, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 8, 7l behind Wednesdays Boy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Doctored 10-1 (10-13) Chased leader until 7th, weakened 4 out, pecked next, 6th of 10, 28l behind Orion Express (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Lady Samantha 16-1 (10-11) Held up, hit 5th, outpaced when blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Rapid Increase (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Chiff Chaff 11-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 14, 13l behind Liberty Seeker (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Charlotte Street (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Chased leader to 2nd, stayed close up, behind from 5th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 18l behind Harcourt (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Bari Bay 28-1 (9-12) Held up in chasing group, ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Rougham (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
One Step Closer (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Led 2nd until after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Withington (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) gf in Jun '08.
