in touch, dropped rear 4th, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 12th
soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
towards rear, mistake 3rd, soon in touch, every chance last, soon led, headed flat, kept on
tracked leaders, led 8th, mistake 14th, headed after last, kept on
towards rear, blundered 6th, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out
soon chasing leaders, blundered and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, led flat
blundered 1st, fell next
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 12th
In this seller, we will short list Hogo de Grez, Runaway Bishop and Tregastel and side with Tregastel. It is sad to Hugo de Grez drop to this level, which he does so for the first time and, much as he is a power in decline, he showed enough when last seen late last year to be considered in a weak event. Also dropping to this grade for the first time, Tregastel holds major claims having won from a higher mark than today last August. Runaway Bishop has been raised three pounds for his recent Leicester win and rates as a danger, while Farington Lodge has dropped to a mark from which he would be competitive if regaining his late 2006 form. Drumintime has not shown a lot to date but is lightly raced so watch the betting, while Glen Tulloch hails from a very god Irish yard but has shown little decent form to date. Very Very Noble has quickly dropped in the ratings but would hold a chance on May 2006 form. Finally, Lord Saar is lightly raced, not least over fences, but has shown some promise and might go well, while a placing for Political Cruise would not entirely be a shock. For the selection, though, we will stick with Tregastel.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 3-1fav (10-13) Held up in touch, headway approaching 12th, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bang And Blame (11-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Tregastel (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 4th, weakned from 5 out, 6th of 12, 27l behind Loscar (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Runaway Bishop (USA) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 3rd, headway 8th, outpaced 10th, stayed on from 2 out, led close home, won at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Glen Thyne (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden and lost place from 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 16l behind Bronson F'sure (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Glen Tulloch (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, chased leaders 15th, chased leader after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 14, 19l behind Alfa Sunrise (10-8) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-88 (5) hvy in Feb.
Kung Hei Fat Choi (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Towards rear, outpaced 10th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Great Jane (10-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Iron Warrior (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Behind from 7th, 7th of 11, 47l behind Kercabellec (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Political Cruise 28-1 (11-2) With leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Euro American (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar.
