tracked leader, hit 7th, soon lost place, towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 12th
prominent, took closer 9th, ridden after 2 out, one pace
in rear, fell 1st
held up in touch on outer, chased leaders 12th, led last, kept on well run-in, pushed out
led, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
in rear, pushed along and outpaced before 14th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, reminder 6th, outpaced from 3 out, soon ridden, kept on run-in, went 2nd towards finish, always held by winner
held up towards rear on inner, reminder 10th, reminders approaching 15th, no impression from 2 out
The lack of a recent run may count against Always Right and Hockenheim on this going, while Or De Grugy has questions to answer after a couple of modest efforts last month. Dawn Ride continues to climb the weights, despite not winning, while the consistent Camden George's losing run stretches back more than two years. Phardessa made a mockery of a huge SP on her return from a long lay-off over hurdles at Ffos Las and could be well treated back over fences, but Lockstown looked a lucky winner when finishing alone at Newcastle earlier in the month and is unlikely to enjoy the same fortune in this better grade. HEEZ A STEEL has to concede weight all round but he excelled over hurdles here and remains relatively unexposed over the larger obstacles. Eased a little by the handicapper, he can regain the winning thread today.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, hit 17th, soon lost place, ridden and plugged on from 3 out, took 4th place close home, no impression, 4th of 14, 9l behind General Hardi (10-11) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Or de Grugy (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, weakened from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Cavers Glen (10-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Phardessa 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead last, headed post, 2nd of 14, shd behind Numide (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Always Right (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, hit 13th, hit 3 out, chased winner approaching last, ridden flat, kept on, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Or de Grugy (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Hockenheim (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Sibenek (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place last 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Border Reiver (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Camden George (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner last, stayed on, closing near finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Foxesbow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Lockstown 7-4fav (11-4) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out and dropped to rear, chasing leaders and disputing 3rd when left alone 3 out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 5 ran.
