held up, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, good headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened flat
held up, weakened before halfway, soon detached
always behind, struggling halfway, never dangerous
soon led, headed 4th, led again before 6th, soon headed, weakened after next
prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 6th, hit 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, led approaching last, ran on
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
A poor race in which Sharaab, City Palace and Rabbit appear the more obvious winners and Sharaab looks the percentage call. A maiden winner on fast ground, Sharaab is far from the most fluent of jumpers but he has at least been consistent at this grade and can be given another chance with fast ground forecast. City Palace has cheekpieces and tongue-tie reapplied again. Another who needs the rain to stay away, this represents a drop in class and the market is watched. Rabbit ran well in a recent Worcester seller. She has been raised 7lb by the handicapper for that near miss so today will prove whether the handicapper has got his sums correct. Chariot has failed to trouble the judge in 12 starts over timber. He continues to run up to his level without winning. Mabel Riley was outclassed in a maiden hurdle and returns to a much more realistic level this afternoon while Loup Bleu's dismal form record took a much needed boost when finishing third in a better contest at Fakenham over 2m4f last month. Sound And Vision won a claimer on the flat at Southwell in January but has not demonstrated too much aptitude for the hurdling game in there past. Sharaab is less exposed than most at this grade and secures the choice.
Mabel Riley (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up rear, headway 5th, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 20l behind Dune Raider (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Socarineau (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Prominent until lost place approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Westmeath Flyer (11-7) at Southwell 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gf, 11 ran.
Sound And Vision (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 16l behind Random Quest (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf.
City Palace 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, driven and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Balmoral Queen (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (F) hvy in Dec.
Rabbit 7-2jt-fav (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, led approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Knotty Ash Girl (10-13) at Worcester 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf.
Chariot (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Pulled hard, prominent, every chance 3 out, mistake next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Real Chief (10-9) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Theflyingscottie 14-1 (9-13) Prominent, mistake 1st, led 6th until after 8th, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 15, 22l behind Tunes Of Glory (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Sharaab (USA) 6-1 (9-12) Held up, jumped slowly 2nd, headway 7th, mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Parisienne Gale (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
