not always fluent, towards rear, weakened well before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, went left before 2 out, went 2nd and jumped right last, hung left flat, no impression on winner
held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out
chased leader, challenged 4 out, led before 2 out, clear when mistake last, easily
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
led, jumped right 1st, headed before 2 out, edged right, lost 2nd last, one pace
held up off the pace in 4th, weakened before 3 out
NonRunner
STAGED ENGAGEMENT did very well to get close to a long odds-on shot at this track last month and a repeat of that level would see him go close. He enjoys his visits to the venue, having posted a bumper success and two runner-up efforts from three starts at the track. Dangers include Ballon Onabudget, a fair second at Exeter last month and likely to improve again and Champagne Mist, returning to maiden hurdle company after posting a much-improved effort last time when runner-up in a 2m Warwick handicap. Maliboo is an interesting recruit from the point-to-point arena and both Baby Ted and Lord Walsingham may prove better than they've shown to date.
Baby Ted 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no chance with winner and struggling in dispute of 4th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gd in Aug.
Ballon Onabudget (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, took closer order 5th, 2nd 3 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Rococo River (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Have This For Now (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on outside over 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Stony Stream (11-0) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in May.
Indieburg (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Towards rear, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 26 1/4l behind Flic Ou Voyou (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gd in Nov.
Lord Walsingham 18-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, dist behind My Charity (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Staged Engagement (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd at 5th, 2nd going well before 3 out, challenged next, every chance last, outpaced run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Southern Sam (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Maliboo (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, mstk 3out, ko to ld after 2out, hdd bef last, rallied wll run, game, won at The Pigeons 3m mdn gd in Oct beating Kaletto (11-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Champagne Mist (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4 out, led again next, ridden and headed after 2 out, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Passing Dream (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
