in touch, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden and one pace
held up, headway after 6th, ridden and slightly outpaced 4 out, led 3 out, faded close home
in touch, some progress 8th, soon ridden and weakened
held up, closer order 7th, ridden and headway after 4 out, every chance 3 out, switched right approaching last and one pace
held up, headway 7th, weakened next
led, headed 3rd, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out
in rear, lost touch 6th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, soon in trouble
led 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3rd, reminders 6th, soon weakened and pulled up before 3 out
Highland Games gets the vote here ahead of Jim Edwards, Radnor Lad, and Hello It's Me. The selection should appreciate the step up to three miles today as he struggled with a penalty over the shorter trip last time out. However this consistent sort could be too good for this fairly moderate bunch on ground that he handles well. Coorbawn was unlucky to be caught last time out under an enterprising run under today's jockey and making his handicap debut today he should go close dropping slightly in trip. Hello It's Me was disappointing last time out on ground that was too quick, but that run should be ignored and back on more suitable ground today he must rate a threat for his in-form stable. Radnor Lad is another consistent sort, however he had no real excuses for his latest defeat and with competition up front today, he must be taken on. Jim Edwards makes his handicap debut today and could be on a fair mark so market support should be noted, however we will return to Highland Games to appreciate the step back up in trip and to get his head in front again.
Xellance (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, chased leader 4th, ridden and lost place 6th, soon tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Beau Michel (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Highland Games (IRE) 2-1fav (10-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, chased winner approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Haggle Twins (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
It's The Limit (USA) 3-1fav (10-6) In touch, brief effort after 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Flotta (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) frm in Apr.
Shirazi 20-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, short-lived effort after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 7th of 13, 29l behind Alfasonic (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Hello It's Me 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 11th of 16, well behind Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) With leaders, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, regained lead last, headed flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Ikemba (9-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
What Do'in (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, lost place before 4th, behind when mistake 6th, 5th of 10, 39l behind Burntoakboy (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Radnor Lad 9-2jt-fav (11-2) Led after 1st, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Whitford Don (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Jim Edwards (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, headway after 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 15, well behind Tanners Court (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cleopatras Therapy (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Soon in touch, lost place after 8th, behind when mistake 9th and 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Mount Clerigo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov '05, 9 ran.
