held up in touch, went second 8th, switched right and led 2 out, driven clear flat
led to 1st, chased leader until 8th, weakend 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, behind from next
mistake 4th, always behind
held up in touch, headway 5th, not fluent 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led 1st until 2 out, no extra approaching last
held up, headway approaching 6th, mistake 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway approach 6th, behind from 7th
behind from 5th
We'll shortlist Marked Man, Tiger Tips Lad, Lamp's Return and Major Euro and side with The Marked Man. Marked Man ran well from today's mark behind a decent type in Dark 'n' Sharp last time and is very much respected here on the back of that. Major Euro looked an improved performer when scoring at Worcester last time but a nine-pounds rise will test him back at this shorter trip. Decent on his day, Flinders Chase is on the same mark as when third in the 2004 Grand Sefton Chase, although he lacks a recent run. The handicapper might have Saafeed Rocket now, and Tiger Tips Lad looks to have races in him and was well in contention when coming down on his chasing debut. Lamp's Return hails from a good yard and did ok over hurdles. Watch the betting on his chasing bow, while the others have it to do from out of the weights. In an interesting race, then, the vote goes to Marked Man.
Marked Man (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 11th, lost place 3 out, headway next, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Dark'n Sharp (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Major Euro (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Always prominent, slightly hampered 3rd, led 6th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov beating Mon Mome (11-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Flinders Chase 7-2co-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 10th, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Banker Count (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs, 9 ran.
Saafend Rocket (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 7th, soon ridden, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Danish Decorum (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Jun.
Tiger Tips Lad (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) With winner to 4th, disputing 2nd when fell at the 6th in race won by Terivic (11-0) at Towcester 2m nov chs (D) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Lamp's Return 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 2 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 14, 15l behind Carthys Cross (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Amadeus (AUS) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, headway after 7th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov beating Brigadier Du Bois (10-12) by 20l, 10 ran.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, 6th after 5 out, progress next, left disputing lead 3 out, headed before 2 out, 2nd and no impression last, weakened straight, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Ghlaisebhui (11-12) at Galway 2m 1f beg chs gf in Jul.
