chased winner, outpaced after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with winner
made all, 11 lengths clear last, eased towards finish, easily
mid-division, behind from halfway, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 5th, no danger after
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind
held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression
in rear, lost touch halfway, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
Wee Forbees has a penalty to contend with today but he looks progressive and is fancied to score again at the main expense of Escaloya, Mystified and Alfabet Souk. Howard Johnson's stable has not been firing on all cylinders of late however the selection was impressive when winning over a longer trip last time out and that form has since been franked by the third-placed horse winning easily since. Jockey Paddy Brennan will no doubt try to make good use of the horse's stamina from the front and if gifted an easy lead he could prove tricky to peg back. Escaloya returned from a lengthy break from hurdling (kept fit on flat) to score in facile fashion last time out and as two mile winner on the flat, stamina is assured and he rates a live danger. Alfabet Souk hasn't cut it so far over hurdles but it is feasible that today's better ground may see him in a better light, whilst Wolds Way is pretty consistent if unspectacular and could scrape a place. Mystified will appreciate today's better ground but isn't assured to stay the trip as it should be made a stern test, and so we will return to the front-running Wee Forbees to go in again.
Escayola (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Balyan (11-0) by 7l, 11 ran.
Wee Forbees (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Raced keen, led after 2nd, clear from next, stayed on well, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating In Dream's (10-12) by 11l, 15 ran.
Alfabet Souk 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 4th, tailed off from 3 out, 4th of 11, well behind In Dream's (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Charles Street 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, no danger after, 9th of 14, 39l behind John Forbes (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Northern Stars (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Wee Forbees (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
North Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 37l behind King Mak (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 31l behind Modicum (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Heckleyhighvoltage Dancing High mare, sister to winning chaser Flaming Heck and bumper winner Heckley Clare.
Midnight Maggie 100-1 (10-5) With leaders, lost place after 7f, soon struggling and well behind, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Massasoit (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (5) hvy in Feb.
Mystified (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 15, 19l behind Poker De Sivola (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Wolds Way 6-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, one pace from last, 5th of 14, 22l behind Daldini (10-10) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
