prominent, led approaching 4 out, fell 3 out
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden, every chance last until no extra towards finish
mid-division, fell 1st
held up in touch, ridden 5th, weakened from 5 out
held up, headway 5 out, led approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure from last
held up mid-division, chased leaders when hit 6th, weakened from next, pulled up before 4 out
held up, ridden after 5 out, staying on when brought down 3 out
held up in touch and lost place approaching 5 out
chased leader until ridden approaching 2 out, rallied after last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
in rear, reminders approaching 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 5 out
PLAYER has been found the right race to confirm the impression that he made at Catterick. Shelomoh and Duke Of Malfi appeal as the dangers with Toulouse Express holding place claims. The selection has taken a while to come to himself but ran on well to score at Catterick and should be up to shouldering a 10lb rise. That run was almost over two and a half miles and connections stated that he'd stay three so it's a little surprising to see him back at the minimum but his stamina should stand him in good stead given the conditions. It's dangerous to dismiss Pass The Class but he hasn't done enough to think that he'll be winning soon, Toulouse Express has run well here and went well last time but has yet to win a chase but Carrietau may have a little more to offer after just five chase starts. Shelomoh has run well in both starts this season and may have more to offer but this is a quick turnaround after a tough race at Towcester which has to be a worry. Duke Of Malfi failed to run his race last time but has been given plenty of time and he had won well on his penultimate start when Frith, Lerida and Toulouse Express were amongst those behind. He does have to put that poor run behind him though so the claims of Player are preferred.
Pass The Class (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, 5th and no impression when mistake next, no extra, 4th of 15, 9l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Drumboy (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Led and disputed, led 7th, ridden and challenged 3 out, soon headed and no extra, 7th of 20, 27l behind Selection Box (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 sft in Dec.
Player (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 5 out, went 2nd next, ridden to lead last, stayed on well flat, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating It's Bertie (10-6) by 9l, 15 ran.
Carrietau 12-1 (11-12) Always prominent, effort 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Shelomoh (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, led just after 3 out, ridden approaching last, jinked left to paddock exit flat, found extra, driven out, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Thievery (11-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Duke of Malfi 4-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sammy Spiderman (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs (4) hvy in Dec, 9 ran.
Frith (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Behind until stayed on from 3 out, never nearer, 5th of 15, 11l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Watch The Wind 16-1 (10-2) Behind, struggling from 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 24l behind More Like It (11-8) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Close up on outside, driven and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Lerida 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 9th, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Festival King (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Naval Attache 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, outpaced 9th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 12, 34l behind Thatlldoforme (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
