with leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra from last
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
led to 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 4th, pushed along next, headway to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well approaching last
jumped badly left and unseated rider 1st
JOSEPHINE MALINES is narrowly preferred here to Brandy Butter and Yossi in a competitive seller. Ann Duffield's mare has not been seen since finishing down the field in a Kelso seller in November however prior to that her second to Quivvy Bridge at Hexham reads well. She seems to appreciate the good ground that is likely here and off a feasible weight she looks sure to run well. The framing of this race favours Brandy Butter most and he is a likely player. He tries the blinkers and tongue-tie combo for the first time and looks sure to put up a bold display. Yossi didn't have the best of 2009's but he has a touch of class about him and should appreciate this easier grade today; a bit of bullying may suit him and if he is fit after a break then he is a big player. Bromhead won easily at Fakenham last month but that was a very weak race and as a result his new official rating of 99 may be flattering and he has a bit to do here, whilst James Junior makes his debut over timber at a lowly level and presumably hasn't been tearing up the gallops at home. A chance for Josephine Malines to get back to winning ways.
Yossi (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 14, 13l behind Weather Front (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Bromhead (USA) 10-3 (11-3) Keen in rear, progress to mid-division 3rd, left 2nd 3 out, led soon after 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar beating Montiyra (11-5) by 15l, 8 ran.
Josephine Malines 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, led 2nd to 4th, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 13, 32l behind Bivouac (10-12) at Kelso 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gs in Nov.
Brandy Butter 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, tracked leader before 6th, every chance when hit 3 out, ridden and close up 2 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Via Galilei (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
James Junior 28-1 (8-11) Raced in last place, pushed along 8f out, soon behind, tailed off final 6f, last of 6, well behind Dunaskin (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb (flat).
Moonlight Rose 250-1 (10-3) Mistake 1st, always behind, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Conquisto (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 15 ran.
