mid-division, pushed along 13th, weakening when went left next, soon behind, tailed off
tracked clear leaders, close up 11th, outpaced by front trio after 4 out, went remote 3rd 2 out, no chance with clear pair
mid-division, blundered 2nd, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, driven and headed before 12th, reminders and lost place after next, weakened 4 out, tailed off
in rear, some headway past beaten rivals after 4 out, remote 5th when fell heavily 2 out
disputed lead to after 2nd, tracked clear pair, close up 11th, disputed lead 14th, led narrowly 3 out, jumped right from next, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat
tracked leader, led before 12th, joined 14th, hit next, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 12th, went 3rd when hit 14th, disputed lead 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance flat, no extra near finish
always behind, tailed off 13th, pulled up before 3 out
mistake 4th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This will take some getting in the conditions and though Ask Paddy scored twice around here before an easy victory at Sedgefield an 8lb rise makes things more difficult. The 14-year-old LOOSE CHIPS has invariably raced in better company than this and gained the 11th victory of his career when making all in a Class 3 handicap on soft ground at Plumpton last month. With his rider's claim to aid his cause, he can go in again. Above Board is another who usually tackles better opposition but he took a crashing fall at Wetherby last month and may be best watched. Agamemmon had no problems scoring over slightly shorter at Sedgefield in December and didn't get a stiff enough test at Doncaster last month so he could provide the main threat.
Above Board (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In rear when fell 6th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Agamemmon (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Not fluent 1st, held up in touch, headway on outside chasing leaders 10th, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Very First Time (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Fionn Mac Cul (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch on outside, shaken up after 4 out, soon no impression and pulled up quickly approaching next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Loose Chips 7-1 (11-2) Made all and pushed along at times, clear 4th, bumped by loose horse 7th, reduced lead 11th, went clear again before 2 out, stayed on gamely, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Dylanseoghan (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cairnshill (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Iwilldoit (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ask Paddy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led to 7th, chased leader, led after 2 out, soon ridden, clear when jumped right last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Lord Brendy (11-1) by 9l, 9 ran.
Absolutely Dylan (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) In touch when fell 5th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Grange Ranger (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Rr & last until prog 1/2way, fair 4th 6out, lft clsr 3rd aftr 3out, 3l 2nd bef last & clsd flat, no ex cl hm, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Irregularheartbeat (11-11) at Ballindenisk 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Late Date (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Prominent, 3rd when blundered 15th, weakened 16th, 4th and no chance when blundered 3 out, 6th of 9, 31 3/4l behind Ask Paddy (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Againn Dul Aghaidh 14-1 (11-1) Held up and behind, 9th and plenty to do 2 out, stayed on into never dangerous 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 14 1/4l behind Manofthemoment (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
