led to 8th, remained prominent, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 9th
chased leaders, headway to lead 8th, headed approaching 14th, hit 3 out, blundered next, soon no chance with winner
towards rear, some headway halfway, outpaced 4 out
chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, fell 3rd
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, mistake 1st, headway halfway, led approaching 14th, clear 2 out, pushed out
Toulon Rouge has shown enough in his last four starts to suggest that a race of this nature would be within his compass and Ferdy Murphy's mare gets the vote ahead of Columbus and Leopard Spot. The last mentioned has improved with experience over fences but probably needs to do so again to trouble the selection, who has a string of decent efforts to her name. Columbus was easily the best of these over hurdles but looks worth taking on judged by his chasing debut at Southwell last month. Goodbadindiferent and Balinahinch Castle are both unexposed under rules and are worth keeping an eye on in the market, while Cool Cossack has shown signs of ability and is another worthy of a mention but Toulon Rouge has an obvious chance and gets the vote.
Columbus (IRE) 4-1 Tracked winner, ridden when not fluent 4 out, eased when no chance last, 2nd of 4, 23l behind Graphic Approach at Southwell 3m nov chs (C) gd in Jan.
Cool Cossack (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, slightly hampered 6th, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Eskimo Pie at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
Goodbadindiferent (IRE) 33-1 Mid-division, headway halfway to track leaders, effort and left 2nd 4 out, 3rd and beaten when fell at the last in race won by Hidden Bounty at Newcastle 3m beg chs (E) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Leopard Spot (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders, effort after 2 out, ridden last, one pace flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Willie The Fish at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft in Jan.
Nomadic Blaze 66-1 Always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Julius Caesar at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Whitfield Warrior 7-1 Chased leaders, blundered 4th, hit 5 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, well behind Has Scored at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (E) gd in Jan.
Toulon Rouge (IRE) 10-11fav Held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, eased when beaten flat, 2nd of 4, well behind Silken Pearls at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov chs (E) gs in Jan.
