mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon behind, tailed off
soon prominent when switched right approaching 2 out, one pace
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced 7th, rallied approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
with leader, jumped slowly 2nd, driven along from 8th, led after 3 out until after 2 out, one pace
in touch, led after 7th, headed after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, pulled up before last
led until after 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent and ridden 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up and behind, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, led after 2 out, clear when jumped right and hit last, eased near finish
held up, headway 7th, 5 lengths 6th when fell 9th
mid-division, hit 5th, headway 7th, ridden but still prominent and collapsed and fell approaching 2 out
ridden 7th, always behind, tailed off from 8th
held up and behind on outside, staying on when badly hampered approaching 2 out, not recover
Desert Tommy, Ranelagh Gray and Three Lions are three against the field in this competitive handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Desert Tommy. The selection has been in fair form of late and was a fair second off this mark behind Carew Lad. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Ranelagh Grey rates the main danger as he won well when defeating Drumbeater last time. That horse has since ran well in a competitive race at Cheltenham and although he is rising in the weights he should be noted in the market. Three Lions is another with place claims on his latest third behind Drumbeater but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him on that occasion and for that reason is overlooked. Corals Laurel looks well weighted on her best form and should be noted in the market but her stable are out of form so she can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Vicario looks weighted up to his best and with this in mind for the winner we return to The Progressive Desert Tommy.
Vicario 7-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, reminder 4th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Waltzing Beau (10-3) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Mar.
Bowleaze (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, smooth headway to lead on bit 4 out, shaken up and narrowly headed when fell at the last in race won by Dancer Life (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Glacial Evening (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, blundered 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Koumba (11-3) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Desert Tommy 13-2 (11-7) Always in 2nd place, pecked 3 out, ridden approaching last, mistake and no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Carew Lad (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Ranelagh Gray (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Made all, hit 5th, mistake 7th, ridden 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Drumbeater (11-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Always Waining (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Always behind, 7th of 13, 29l behind Heir To Be (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar.
Three Lions 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 8th, effort, ridden approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Corals Laurel (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 2nd, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from last, 5th of 13, 19l behind Dorneys Well (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
