mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, led before next, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, lost place next, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden and every chance, kept on until one pace flat
mid-division on inside, driven and outpaced 4 out, weakened after next
mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased leading pair before next, soon ridden and one pace, lost 3rd last
with leader, led 2nd, headed before 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
in rear, ridden 4 out, some headway under pressure after next, 6th and no impression when pecked 2 out, never on terms
held up in rear, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd last, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, weakened next
led to 2nd, with leader, led again before 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden and weakened
This is not the most consistent bunch you will ever see brought together on a racecourse; so backing (game front-runner) SPIDER BOY does come with a health warning; Wingull and Helen Wood can also play strong supporting roles at this level. With only two starts since May 2008, Helen Wood was entitled be in need of the run when she returned to action in February. David Pipe has his string in much better form at present and, as she is still on a fair mark, strong market support can be virtually assured. Set to make only his ninth start over hurdles, Wingull still has some scope for improvement. He is likely to need more cut in the ground to be seen at his best, though; in which case Spider Boy can be the one to capitalise the most. Now in the veteran stage of his career, the 13-year-old still seems to thrive on his racing at this time of year and, as a previous course and distance winner, Spider Boy will be hard to peg back if the others underestimate him today.
Alph 13-2 (11-12) Held up in last trio, headway on long run to 3 out, driven and weakened soon after, 6th of 7, 20l behind Lord Singer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, struggling 3 out, plugged on, 7th of 13, 18l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Helen Wood 7-4 (10-5) In touch, left 2nd 3 out, ridden next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, well behind Perfect Reward (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Mr Melodious 40-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, jumped slowly 7th, headway next, weakened after 9th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cannington Brook (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Foreign King (USA) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leader to approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 12, 27l behind Strategic Plan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Classic Fly (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Prominent, driven and weakened after 6th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Books Review 40-1 (11-5) Led, clear 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded, 6th of 12, 36l behind Woodlark Island (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Wingull (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 9, 9l behind Watch Out (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Genies Lamp (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 11, 15l behind Michigan Assassin (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Spider Boy 13-8fav (9-9) Harried for lead, made most until headed before 6th, driven in 3rd after 3 out until next, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Phantom Lad (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
