in touch, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, reminders and lost place 6th, outpaced when mistake and unseated rider 8th
tracked leader, lost place approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to chase winner approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd flat
mid-division, reminders 3rd, took closer order 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led before last, ridden and kept on flat
in rear, hit 5th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, never nearer
led, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened
mid-division on outside, reminder approaching 7th, headway under pressure 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression
towards rear, headway into mid-division 7th, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon struggling, no danger after
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind
always behind, tailed off 2 out
Whilst his new trainer may be getting some improvement from him, Stoneriggs Merc doesn't look one to trust implicitly and so we will side with REXMEHEAD ahead of Mr Floppy. The selection has been in consistent form in 2009 and this course winner ran well on his latest start behind Wizards Dust over fences. The return to hurdling won't be a problem and this course winner can add to his tally. Mr Floppy is dropped in class and Ferdy Murphy's gelding may be more at home at this level; his best efforts have come on a quicker surface so he wouldn't want any more rain. West End Wonder and Fuel Cell also drop in grade, course and distance winner Classic Chic looks potentially well-treated, whilst Stoneriggs Merc didn't look too keen to go past Backfromthecongo last time out at Ludlow and he is taken on back over hurdles. Freedom Flying is consistent at this level, whilst at a price the unexposed Special Flight could run well however he has evidently had plenty of problems in his career. A competitive race in which preference is for Rexmehead.
Fuel Cell (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Mystified (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (4) gd in Oct.
Classic Chic 14-1 (10-5) Led, pulled hard, hit 9th, soon headed, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Share Option (10-7) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) In touch, went 2nd 12th, led approaching 4 out, hit last, hard pressed flat, held on, won at Ludlow 3m am hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct beating Backfromthecongo (11-6) by nk, 6 ran.
Freedom Flying 9-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, rallied when hit 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Genari (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gf in Sep.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 300-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden after 5 out, never on terms, 9th of 10, well behind Fiendish Flame (11-2) at Carlisle 2m noc chs (3) gd in Oct.
West End Wonder (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after next, led again approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Rexmehead (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) In rear, mistake 6th, stayed on from 3 out, no extra from last, 5th of 8, 8l behind Wizards Dust (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Mr Floppy (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Held up, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 25l behind Za Beau (11-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Pugnacity 9-2 (10-4) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, headed after last, one pace, 4th of 16, 5l behind Dunbrody House (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Special Flight (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased winner before 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 11, 31l behind Hazeldene (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Fair Spin 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Oscar Trial (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f 4yo cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, weakened 7th, 8th of 11, 49l behind Shiwawa (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bob 'n' You (10-9) at Market Rasen 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May, 12 ran.
Asrar 14-1 (10-2) Mistakes, always behind, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 48l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-7) at Kelso 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May '08.
