chased leaders until halfway, soon behind, tailed off when virtually pulled 1f out
mid-division, headway 7f out, went 3rd over 3f out, kept on same pace
whipped round start, soon with winner, weakened over 4f out
mid-division until 7f out, tailed off when pulled up 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 7f out, stayed on from 3f out, went 2nd final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden to chase winner 3f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, brief effort over 4f out, soon weakened
made all, hung left final 4f, clear 2f out, stayed on well
Marcus gets a tentative vote over Topamendip, Painter Man and Bricos Boy in the finale. Normally when Martin Pipe saddles a newcomer in a bumper, the majority of pundits will nominate it as the likely winner, but the way that the stable has been performing means we cannot do that this time. However, it would be no surprise if Painter Man, a well-bred French sort were to be up to the task first time. We are going to take him on though with Marcus who will hopefully improve for his debut run behind Sound Accord at Chepstow in March. On breeding he is every inch a future chaser, but would not have to be anything special to prevail. Topamendip ran a similar sort of race to the selection when he too was down the field on his Chepstow bow, and given Paul Nicholls's record in these events, he too has to be respected. Bricos Boy was beaten a distance when third of four on his Taunton introduction and will therefore need to improve markedly, so in a race in which the market may well prove a reliable guide, we remain loyal to Marcus.
Bricos Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost touch with leading pair 7f out, soon tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Kelv (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) gd.
Cash Back 25-1 (11-4) Led, headed over 2f out, faded, 6th of 14, 19l behind Delena (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Cornish Flame Thowra gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Fire Ranger.
Topamendip (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up mid-divsion, headway over 5f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 32l behind Dark Corner (10-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
High Minster (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened and behind final 4f, 11th of 14, well behind Jean Le Poisson (10-11) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Painter Man (FR) Double Bed gelding, half-brother to the useful chaser Kadabelle.
Marcus 50-1 (11-4) Behind, headway after 4f, weakened over 5f out, 10th of 13, 41l behind Sound Accord (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Warlord 12-1 (11-4) Soon chasing leader, every chance over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 12, 12l behind Joyryder (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
