tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear last, driven out
tracked leaders and not fluent, challenged 3 out, weakened from last
led, hit 5th, headed approaching 3 out, blundered and unseated rider
held up, headway 6th, pushed along 4 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
held up behind, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader until weakened after 5 out, blundered next, in 8th, beaten when unseated rider 3 out
in rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous
always towards rear
held up and keen, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off
held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, one pace
A big enough field but not too many with clear chances and it may be worth siding with DANCING DIK with a feather weight to carry, while Merrydown, Mighty Moon and Baltic Pathfinder also look to be leading players. The Chris Grant-trained selection put in his best effort thus far when just held at Ayr over a similar trip last time. Soft ground suits him, he gets the age allowance plus an extra 5lb off his back from his claimer and in this ground that might prove very significant. Mighty Moon was a comfortable heavy ground scorer here last month and now steps up in trip. He carries a penalty for that win which will make this all the more difficult, and the same goes for Merrydown. Nicky Richards has his Greystoke inmates on song and the six-year-old is likely to be able to do himself justice first time back after a three month break. Cut suits the Kelso winner, who has plenty of stamina and he is not ruled out. Baltic Pathfinder is on an upward curve and might be a serious threat now stepped up to a trip that looks almost certain to suit. Big Burrows and Dark Moon would both be more interesting if the market speaks in their favour, but without that knowledge we will side with Dancing Dik.
Merrydown (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) In touch, ridden after 4 out, rallied next, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Mr Woods (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Mighty Moon 7-2 (11-4) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Ockey de Neulliac (11-11) by 8l, 15 ran.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, effort approaching 3 out, ridden last, kept on same pace flat, no impression, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Big Burrows (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 11, 37l behind My Moment (11-8) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Dark Moon (GER) 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division, under pressure 8th, stayed on, never able to challenge, 4th of 13, 15l behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Flag Hill 250-1 (11-3) Always behind, 12th of 16, well behind Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Galaxy Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost pace after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 32l behind Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Gun Runner 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to over 4f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Saveiro (10-12) at Catterick 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Lisdonagh House (IRE) Little Bighorn gelding out of Lifinsa Barina.
Snurgecal (IRE) 125-1 (10-13) Always in rear, no chance 3 out, last of 8, 48l behind Aachen (11-10) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Chief Lady Olwyn Alderbrook mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Eden Vixen (IRE) 250-1 (10-6) Mid-division, tailed off final 3f, 15th of 16, well behind Shut The Bar (10-0) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Quoquille Des Sacart (FR) 25-1 (9-12) pulled up 2 out in race won by Honest John (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Dancing Dik 33-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after last, nearest at finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Scolboa Music Man (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Galapagos Islands 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
