in touch, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, chased winner last, no impression
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
prominent, went 2nd 4 out, ridden, one pace in 2nd when blundered badly 2 out, soon weakened
held up, jumped slowly 4th, soon pushed along, never dangerous
chased leader, led 2nd, headed 3 out, one pace
always prominent, led 3 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, never dangerous
held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after 3 out
led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
prominent early, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
always towards rear
mid-division, weakened when hit 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
DREVER ROUTE can complete a hat-trick in this race for Howard Johnson although Ockey De Neuillac would have to be feared if back to the form that he showed on debut. Mighty Moon, Sirkeel and Hey Charlie rate the dangers. The latter ran second to Massasoit on his sole start in February 2007 which puts him in the picture but his yard have been finding winners hard to come by and he's best watched. Mighty Moon has run two sound races so far and will be eligible for handicaps after this contest as will Sirkeel who battled on well under similar conditions at Ayr. Ockey De Neuillac prevailed in a driving finish over an extended two miles six at Kelso and was then asked to contest a decent race over the brush hurdles at Haydock. He failed to reproduce his debut form but his yard is going well now and it would be no surprise to see him get back on track. He got the better of a stablemate of the selection at Kelso so Howard Johnson should have an idea of what's required to land this race for the third successive year. His charge was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time but reportedly finished distressed so the run may be best ignored and we'll take Drever Route to show them the way home.
Drever Route (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Fortunate Isle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 46l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Commercial Vic (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, stumbled 1st, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gilsland (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Prominent, lost place over 4f out, 8th of 14, 31l behind Bai Zhu (10-9) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Ginger's Lad 33-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 43l behind Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hazeldene 9-1 (11-2) Led to 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 34l behind Mill Side (10-9) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mighty Moon 10-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 16l behind Benfleet Boy (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Peau Aime (FR) 80-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 11th of 18, 43l behind Song of Songs (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Piper's Song (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up, headway and every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Red Moloney (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Quinder Spring (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led briefly after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 29l behind Teenage Idol (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sirkeel (FR) 10-3 (11-6) With leader, challenged 3 out, kept on and every chance until edged left and no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Lie Forrit (11-1) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Beresford Lady 66-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Watson's Bay (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol (Flat).
Bollin Fiona 200-1 (9-12) In touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, 9th of 12, 25l behind Fortunate Isle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pugnacity 150-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, lost touch 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Cashmere Jack 50-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off approaching 3 out., 10th of 16, well behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hey Charlie (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, led going well 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace after, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Massasoit (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (5) hvy in Feb '07.
