tracked winner until 6th, weakened from next
in rear, pushed along after 5th, plugged on to take 3rd towards finish, never able to challenge
held up in touch, lost place after 5th, went 3rd from 3 out, no impression and lost 3rd place towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
made all, clear after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, eased last 100 yards
tracked leaders, chased winner from 6th, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along 7th, soon weakend
It's a very long way from David Pipe's yard in Devon so the presence of his lone runner at the meeting, THE TRACEY SHUFFLE, is an obvious pointer. A dual winning bumper, he started odds-on for his hurdling debut at Lingfield last month and though beaten by shock winner Nagpur he had the remainder a long way behind and can gain compensation. Avenging Ace has started a short-priced favourite on all three starts under Rules after landing a point-to-point and will need to do better if he's to see off the selection and Syndication has been disappointing since his Towcester bumper success. Wilde Pastures looked a nice prospect when last seen winning a Catterick bumper but that was almost two years ago.
Avenging Ace (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, joined last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Elton Fox (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Hooky's Diamond 100-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 31l behind Tap Night (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Qirie D'aron (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 30l behind Netminder (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Syndication (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Not always fluent, went right and hampered 1st, in touch until dropped to rear 4th, never really travelled after, taken to outside after 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, 20l behind Ballygarvey (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
The Tracey Shuffle 4-6fav (11-5) Slight lead until 2nd, pressed leader, led narrowly 3 out, pressed next, narrowly headed between last 2, still upsides when hit last and lost momentum, switched right flat, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Nagpur (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Wilde Pastures (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led well over 4f out, stayed on well, pushed out, won at Catterick 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Mar '10 beating Kensix Star (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Royal Curtsy 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on inner, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 34l behind Lucia Bay (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mini The Minx (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, soon pushed along, weakened 6th, moderate 5th, 5th of 10, well behind Brindisi Breeze (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
