made all, ridden and ran on well from last
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, reminders after 3rd, never dangerous
held up and keen, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, took 2nd last, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, fading approaching last
in touch, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up, ridden after 3 out, kept on moderately
Charlie Mann has his string in really good form at presnt so it could pay to side with SPEAR THISTLE to beat the likes of Rosoff and Lady Traill. The selection returned to form last time when he finished fourth behind Captain Becket at Fontwell. He led for a long way in that race before being run out of a place close home, but this drop in trip should suit and he is proven on the ground so he looks the one to beat. Rosoff is another who will love the ground and the quick surface may have been an excuse for his below-par effort last time out in a handicap chase. Lady Traill has been a bit disappointing of late and she has shaped as though the handicapper might just have her measure at present. Doctor Robert is far from straightforward and he has plenty to prove at present, but in an open event Spear Thistle looks to hold solid claims.
Spear Thistle 16-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 16l behind Captain Becket (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Eastwell Smiles 28-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Special Day (10-6) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Rosoff (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 3rd 7th, jumped right from next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Silvergino (10-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs (4) gd in Oct.
Lady Traill 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened next, 7th of 14, 26l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Just Beware 8-1 (9-9) Mid-division until weakened 6th, 9th of 11, well behind Dream Catcher (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Petroglyph 66-1 (10-7) Jumped left, always towards rear, 6th of 12, 33l behind Weather Front (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Ocarito (GER) 2-1fav (10-11) Pulled hard, held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 29l behind St Pancras (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Doctor Robert 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 13l behind Saticon (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Doctored 8-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 13, 12l behind Fair Dual (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, jumped right and mistake 4th, not fluent 7th, stayed on approaching last, no chance, 4th of 11, 23l behind Cherokee Star (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
