took keen hold, held up, pushed along after 5th, headway 4 out, no impression 2 out, rallied approaching last, went 2nd flat, stayed on
held up in touch, lost place when mistake 3rd, ridden 5th, mistake 6th, soon behind, tailed off
prominent early, tracked leaders, badly hampered on bend before 4 out, not fluent at hurdle, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, not fluent 3rd, lost touch after next, some late progess, never any chance
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, led next, headed approaching 4 out, mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
prominent, hampered on bend before 4 out, went 2nd when mistake 3 out, 3rd when not fluent last, no extra towards finish
headway to lead before 2nd where not fluent, headed 7th, upsides when fell on bend before 4 out
led until before 2nd, prominent, led approaching 4 out, hit last, all out
held up, headway 5th, led approaching 4 out, soon headed, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, close 2nd when jumped left last, no extra close home
It was good ground when Lightening Fire won this last year off an identical handicap mark. He does handle heavy going, however, though this season's efforts have left much to be desired. Bennys Mist makes a swift reappearance after finishing third at Hereford on Monday while Border Lad is starting to come down the weights, but has questions to answer after a couple of abysmal runs over longer trips. RHYTHM SEEKER wasn't beaten far at Lingfield on his latest outing and won at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Anabel Murphy's gelding gets the vote as most of rivals are struggling for form at present.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, slow and ridden 7th, headway 3 out, went 3rd before next, driven and one pace after 2 out, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Medic Man (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Rhythm Seeker 15-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd on long run to 2 out and closed, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Well Green (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Scalleys Run 16-1 (10-11) Led until after 6th, led 9th, headed when fell 2 out, in a race won by Starlight Air (10-7) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul '09, 14 ran.
Mysortofman 25-1 (11-2) Behind, headway before 8th, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 20l behind Manadam (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Border Lad 22-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, hit 10th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Velator (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Jam Tomorrow (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 10th until ridden before 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 11, 20l behind Sam D'oc (9-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Feb.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Led 2nd until 6th, outpaced by leaders from 9th, well held after 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Oscar Charlie (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Roses Legend 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at bypassed 3 out, in a race won by Sun Tzu (10-10) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar '11, 8 ran.
Meet Me At Dawn 10-3 (10-4) Chased leader until 4th, soon in rear and ridden, rider looking down and pulled up after next, in a race won by Jerry Lee (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 6 ran.
Doctored 16-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from next, 4th of 10, 17l behind Vivarini (11-0) at Lingfield 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
