chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly
led approaching 1st, headed approaching 7th, weakened quickly
towards rear, ridden and headway 6th, one pace from 3 out
held up, some headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish
mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened before next
led to approaching 1st, chased leaders, ridden 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened quickly
prominent to 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened
always behind
held up, headway approaching 6th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, pushed out
jumped slowly 1st, soon behind, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
This race is modest and tricky and maybe Ask The Umpire can win again, with Darialann and Baron Blitzkrieg other names with which to conjure. The selection at least knows how to win, as he did at Towcester last time. Much as he has a penalty to shoulder - which takes him up to the steadier of 12st 2lbs - in a modest affair, he has to be considered. A repeat of his Towcester second to The Hairy Lemon in October would afford Deo Gratias claims, and Chigorin might also appreciate the quicker conditions than existed at Chepstow last time. Northern Shadows has suggested ability, but Astronaut seems to have regressed since initially showing promise following a long absence. Darialann is very well-weighted based on 2004 form, and he ran fairly well last time. Golden Feather at least showed some promise at Catterick last time, and Baron Blitzkrieg has hinted at better, something that this better going might bring out today. Overall, though, the tentative vote goes to Ask The Umpire.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear approaching last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft beating Mayoun (11-6) by 6l, 16 ran.
Key In 33-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Spectested (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Darialann (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 17, 13l behind Before The Mast (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Dec.
Be Telling (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Moustique de L'Isle (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Northern Shadows 28-1 (10-10) Always behind, 15th of 17, 37l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Astronaut 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pulled along 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 13, 50l behind Chickapeakray (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Chigorin 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 19l behind Biscar Two (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Deo Gratias (POL) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 35l behind Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden 4th, lost touch 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by She's Our Native (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (E) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Safe To Blush 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 35l behind Return Home (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Baron Blitzkrieg 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, ridden next, weakened 4 out, 6th of 14, 34l behind Return Home (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Bronhallow 50-1 (9-11) Behind from 6th pulled up 3 out in race won by True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Little Saxtead (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up last, headway on outside to chase leaders on long run to 2 out, weakened and hit last, 4th of 6, 29l behind Play The Melody (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft in Dec.
Golden Feather 8-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 17l behind Goldstar Dancer (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
Rockys Girl 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place after 3rd, soon behind, 4th of 11, 17l behind Patman Du Charmil (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Cloneybrien Boy (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) fell at the 2nd in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
