led to 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, blundered 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, one pace
held up, headway from 5th, led flat, driven out
towards rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace last
tracked leader, led 5th, headed after next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed flat, kept on
always towards rear
Flying Grey is a course and distance winner but recent efforts have been below par and he is passed over in favour of NEWGATE who is narrowly preferred to Le Brocquy. Ruth Carr's gelding has a bit to find on official ratings but he does at least come here on the back of a good effort at Sedgefield (albeit in defeat) and a reproduction of that second to Can't Remember may suffice. Le Brocquy has not really excelled himself since going jumping but he looked a decent prospect for Mick Quinlan and he may appreciate this easier grade of race. Flying Grey tries the eye-shield for the first time as he drops in trip, Safe Investment is not quite true to his name after 12 winless starts over hurdles but his latest run at Huntingdon was an improvement, whilst this is Mad Professor's grade and he may do better now returned to hurdles. At a price the blinkered-first-time Knock Em Dead may surprise a few, but it is Newgate who can lead them home.
Flying Grey (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mistakes, held up, lost touch after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Team Chaser (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Watch Out 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Villochely (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Hernando Cortes 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased winner when mistake 8th, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 39l behind Villochely (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Knock Em Dead (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, held up towards rear, struggling after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sir Ian (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Never travelling in rear, reminders 5th, driven along from 7th, plugged on, 6th of 11, 30l behind One of The Boys (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd.
Newgate (UAE) 9-4fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching next, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Can't Remember (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gf.
Port Erne (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, good headway after 5th, 4th when mistake 2 out, soon shaken up and weakened, 6th of 18, 39l behind Moonlight Music (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Safe Investment (USA) 6-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway after 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, ran on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Quiditch D'ouxy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Cashmere Jack 17-2 (11-0) Led to 3rd, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, last of 11, well behind Oscar Trial (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f 4yo cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Le Brocquy 13-8fav (10-7) Held up, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, 9th of 14, 39l behind Silver Bank (10-6) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd.
Buds Dilemma 8-1 (9-13) Led, soon clear, headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, last of 12, well behind Upright Ima (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
