led until 3rd, weakened halfway, behind when hit 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on to lead last, driven out flat, eased near finish
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden next, weakened from last
mid-division, effort after 7th, ridden 9th, behind and beaten from next
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, hit 5th, headed 4 out, ridden and soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden approaching 9th, soon beaten
held up, smooth headway to lead after 4 out, 6 lengths clear approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, one pace flat
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
always behind
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
Stamina is the key here and that appears to be the forte of YOULUCKYMAN, who gets the vote ahead of Seeking Straight and Hooky's Hope. The selection was a beaten favourite over a similar trip at Ayr last time, and he has a 0 from 12 record under rules. Nonetheless he has often gone well before coming up short and he does have some ability. He does have to prove himself on a sound surface after racing almost exclusively when there has been cut, but in the hope that he does and that first-time cheek pieces work the oracle we will side with him. Seeking Straight has gone up a harsh-looking 4lbs for finishing a well beaten runner-up at Ayr, and he too has endured a lengthy spell as a maiden. Another who needs to prove himself on this quicker ground, he has no easy task. Hooky's Hope was a fast ground runner-up at Musselburgh when last seen out in November, her only decent piece of form to date. With a 4lb rise she has to come out and do it all again here. Quinntowin is an ageing mare who has not won in 26 starts under rules. She came closest to doing so at Ayr earlier in the month but is not one to trust. Greenock should act on the surface but needs to improve even given this lifetime low mark if he is to win and Youluckyman is a tentative selection.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 5-2 (9-10) Led, headed after 3rd, with leader, driven and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Lockstown (11-0) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Barton Grey 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Argento Luna (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Youluckyman (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) In touch, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Vicario (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Miss Colima 200-1 (10-2) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Calin Royal (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Luzenie (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, blundered 5th, behind final 4f, 8th of 16, 28l behind Alloro (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f ldy hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Sleepers Hill (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, soon struggling, behind from 3 out, 9th of 12, 39l behind Cruise Director (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Hooky's Hope 14-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, ridden next, went poor second 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Little Shilling (11-13) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Nov.
Quinntowin (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Held up, outpaced 9th, headway under pressure 4 out, left 4 lengths 2nd next, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Red Scally (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) sft.
Glacial Rambler (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, soon lost place, 7th of 12, well behind Garleton (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Greenock 11-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, ridden 13th, soon beaten, 7th of 13, 42l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Beau Peak 250-1 (10-3) Mid-division, weakened halfway and pulled up 3 out in race won by Sphinx (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft, 11 ran.
