held up behind, headway and in touch 4th, went 2nd next, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
keen early, tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, plugged on to go moderate 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair
with leader on outside, lost place 5th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
made all, wandered approaching 3rd, drew clear from 2 out, well in command when jinked right approaching last, ridden out, easily
behind, struggling after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, lost moderte 3rd flat
Another small field for this seller where DR VALENTINE is taken to shine, while Domino Dancer and Ajman can provide the danger. This really is a poor contest where you would be hard-pressed to make a serious wager, but one of them must come home in front and on balance, Dr Valentine looks to be the one. Ann Duffield's four-year-old receives the age allowance and ran well here in a similar contest when last seen hurdling in December. He has had a couple of runs on the level to keep him ticking over since then, and he may well be up to the task here as a 74-rated Flat performer. Domino Dancer has been well beaten in handicaps in recent seasons, but was good enough to win a Catterick maiden contest a couple of years ago. He will find the drop in grade a boost to his chance and with John Wade sponsoring this race then he would love to have the winner. Ajman makes some appeal on his hurdling debut. He was showing form from marks in the high 60s in Ireland last spring, but has slid a few pounds since and joined Evan Williams. He should have the ability to get involved, and is tongue-tied and cheek-pieced today, plus the benefit of Graham Lee up, and a market check is advised. If You Knew Suzy receives the mares allowance but will need plenty of improvement even to win this contest and a better proposition could be Haulage Lady, who should just about get home. Dr Valentine can warm our hearts here.
Ajman (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Held up, towards rear, headway and in touch 7f out, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Delorain (8-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb (flat).
Domino Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Soon led, headed approaching 4th, not fluent next, lost place 3 out, 6th of 12, 38l behind Waterloo Corner (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Recoil (IRE) 200-1 (10-11) Behind, hit 2nd, struggling 10th, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Mr Woods (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs, 9 ran.
Dr Valentine (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Led, driven and headed when stumbled 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Hector's House (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
If You Knew Suzy 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, well behind Gwyre (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Haulage Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Kudu Country (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
