tracked leader, ridden and weakened 4 out
mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened after 7th
in touch, chased leader from 6th, led approaching 4 out, challenged last, kept on
mid-division, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, headway to track winner 4 out, every chance last, no extra
mid-division, weakened after 7th
always in the rear
in touch, outpaced after 7th, stayed on
mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th
always in the rear
always in rear, mistake 5th
mid-division, short-lived effort 7th
in touch, lost place 4th, outpaced 7th, stayed on
in touch, weakened 5th, pulled up after 7th
in rear, mistake 5th, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened next
This is a poor contest in terms of quality but plenty of the 18 runners have claims including top weight Fishguard Filly, the inconsistent Bundle Up and the relatively lightly raced Beshairt but it is PONCHATRAIN that gets the vote. The selection has not been seen for 714 days but Martin Keighley is more than capable of readying one after an absence and if the nine-year-old retains any of his old enthusiasm and ability for the game, he should be capable of taking a race of this nature. Brilliant ran better at Fontwell last time but probably needs further help from the handicapper, while Sir Bumble has not progressed from a promising run at Wincanton in October. Fishguard Filly won comfortably at Fontwell last month but a 15 lb rise for that seems a touch harsh and it may be worth taking a chance with Ponchatrain.
Fishguard Filly 28-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 10th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd in Mar beating Miss Merenda (11-2) by 27l, 17 ran.
Coast To Coast (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch until held from 5th, 6th of 15, 32l behind Silver Sister (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Beshairt 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, reminder approaching 6th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Petrosian (10-7) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Celtic Heather (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until driven and lost place 7th, behind after, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Gallileo Figaro (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) sft in Feb.
Amarillo Slim (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place 6th, in rear when blundered badly 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wardington Lad (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 6th, headway 7th, hit last, one pace, 4th of 17, 3l behind Waldo's Dream (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr '07.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 4th, well beaten 7th, remote 6th when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Tooka (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f Ladies sell hdl (5) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Ruling Reef 10-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, led 7th until 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 17, 24l behind Speedy Directa (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Green 'n' Gold 40-1 (10-13) Held up, always in rear, 11th of 16, 47l behind Ballyvaden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Compton Star 16-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden, struggling 6th, never on terms, 8th of 12, 23l behind Strategic Plan (10-9) at Plumpton 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Cat Six (USA) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, hit 5th, struggling, lost place 7th, hit 3 out, plugged on from next, went modest 4th flat, 4th of 11, 25l behind Green Belt Elite (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Back To Reality 50-1 (11-1) Held up well in rear, mistake 3rd, always behind, 13th of 18, well behind Lindeman (10-8) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Bundle Up 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 25l behind Mount Benger (11-2) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Brilliant (GER) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, took poor 3rd flat, 3rd of 17, 23l behind Pepito Collonges (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs in Mar.
Beech Games 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened next, 9th of 16, 47l behind Keyneema (10-10) at Fakenham 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent and headed 5th, weakened 4 out, 13th of 17, well behind Pepito Collonges (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs in Mar.
Biscar Two (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, steady headway 6th, ridden 4 out soon beaten, 7th of 16, well behind Nick's Choice (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar '08.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Jumped left, chased leader, hit 3rd, led after 6 until after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 43l behind That's For Sure (9-13) at Towcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
