held up towards rear, headway after 4th, led 2 out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish
in touch, ridden 2 out, weakened flat
held up toewards rear, struggling from 3rd, tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 3 out
close up, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, effort and chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden approaching last, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
in touch to halfway, soon ridden and weakened
ridden and weakened 2 out (wore cheek pieces)
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
Not a race to warm the cockles on a cold day but on paper at least, it looks to be a match between the top two. Florries Son won a particularly weak affair at Hexham and looks to be going the right way. He was second on debut to Peter Beaumont's Ta-Ta For Now - but that horse isn't the most consistent so we are rather taking a guess as to how good that form actually is. The TEAMtalk selection is therefore given to San Dimas. He is no great shakes but he did respond to Tony Dobbin's urges to get up in a Novice event over course and distance. Polar Gunner is the interesting horse to watch from a market perspective. He was outpaced in his sole bumper start and this trip will probably be more to his liking. Kevin Ryan's team on the flat have been in good order of late and if he has rediscovered the key to Olivety - he is worth a look today. Kate Walton has been sending out a couple of winners of late but No Sam No is exposed at selling grade over shorter distances and he doesn't stand out as requiring a longer trip.
