prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, chased winner at last, kept on
never better than mid-division, pulled up before last
mid-division, weakened rapidly 6 out
prominent, headway to chase leader before 3 out, ridden into lead before 2 out, went clear after last, readily
led, slow 1st, prominent, mistake 5 out, ridden 4 out, no extra
never better than mid-division
prominent, led after 1st, ridden 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened after last
mid-division, with leading group 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened
mid-division, dropped towards rear 5 out, ridden 4 out, held when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, no impression
DEEPER BLUE disappointed on last month’s handicap debut but has every chance back at this level having finished runner-up to subsequent Grade 1 winner Stage Star in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow earlier. Onward Route has undergone wind surgery having placed in novice company last year and is weighted to beat stablemate and Wetherby runner-up Ritson while Mount Melleray debuts for new connections having placed over timber and fences in Ireland. Lord Roco showed a big improvement at Ayr last time and cheekpieces are fitted for this.
Deeper Blue (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced home turn, never in contention, 6th of 11, 30 3/4l behind Champagne Court (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up rear of mid-division, not fluent 6th or 8th, some headway 3 out, no impression, 7th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Half Track (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Glenbeg Lake (IRE) Evens (12-2) Twrds rr of mid-div, 7th 5out, prog in 3rd bef 3out, went 2nd bef 2out, 1 1/2l 2nd bef last & clsd flat, no ex, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Red River Valley (11-11) at Kinsale 3m mdn sft in Oct.
Great Ballinboris (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Keen led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Bolton (10-3) at Wetherby 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
Jack Of All Shapes (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In rear, briefly ridden after 3 out, pushed and some headway after 2 out, ridden again entering home straight, unable to get competitive, 7th of 13, 28 1/4l behind Captain Quint (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Lord Roco 80-1 (11-5) Held up rear of mid-division on inside, closed 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, took 2nd last stride, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Escapeandevade (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Mount Melleray (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd when slight mistake and badly hampered 6 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on into 4th last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 18, 10 1/2l behind Queen Jesse Jay (11-7) at Cork 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Nights In Venice 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Gege Ville (11-0) at Ayr 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Onward Route (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, switched right and headway 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind King Of Realms (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) pol in Feb.
Ritson (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and joined 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Harbour Lake (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Room At The Top (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon well beaten and pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Lucky Light 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner soon after 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 27l behind Richmond Lake (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Songbird's Tale 125-1 (10-5) Close up in rear, ridden and outpaced, detached, 4th of 5, dist behind Richmond Lake (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
