tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out
held up, ridden after 3rd, lost place and behind from 4th, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened at 3 out, tailed off
held up, smooth headway 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out until not quicken flat
close up, with leader after 3rd, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, in touch, smooth headway 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out
A poor opener and SAFIN is the reluctant selection at the expense of Zorro De La Vega and Tosula. A record of 0 from 14 over hurdles hardly smacks of decent punting fare but the nine-year-old was well backed for a seller over hurdles and ran well until not getting home over the extended trip. A couple of recent pipeopeners on the flat should have him spot on. Zorro De La Vega has all discernable aids in place today. Better known as a chaser, the booking of Jamie Moore catches the eye. Similar comments apply to Neil Mulholland's Tosula. The mare will be partnered this afternoon by Robert Thornton and has shown herself capable of finishing in the frame. No Telling has fewer miles on the clock than most so has to be noted in the market if there are positive vibes. Purr won a plating hurdle at Fakenham at 40/1 under today's rider but has shown little of note on the racecourse since. Glimmer Of Light won recently over chase fences at Wetherby. That said, he beat a number of professional losers on the day. Not a race to linger for too long over and Safin is chanced at the likely odds.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 17-2 (10-0) Held up, ridden 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 15l behind Sole Agent (11-12) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Tosula 6-1 (11-9) Raced wide, held up in rear, steady headway to chase leaders 9th, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Royal Hilarity (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Winds Supreme (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Behind, detached from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Alvino (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
No Telling (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) In rear, blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Enroblim Trop (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Bawnafaugh (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Raced keenly, close up on outside, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance for first 2, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Bonneta (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Gobejolly 25-1 (10-4) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 17, 15l behind Markila (11-11) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, led next, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan beating Eborarry (11-8) by 11l, 6 ran.
Festival Dreams 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, went moderate 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 9l behind She's No Muppet (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Government (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Made most, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat, 4th of 15, 7l behind Mount Benger (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Safin (GER) 10-3fav (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out until hit 2 out, weakened, 5th of 14, 19l behind Nearly A Breeze (9-13) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Purr 18-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 6th, lost place 8th, soon behind, 4th of 7, well behind Storm Haven (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
