held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner and mistake last, stayed on same pace, flat
tracked leaders, ridden over 3 out, weakened 2 out
with leader, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
pulled hard, always in rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden out
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, stayed on same pace
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden after 3rd, soon lost place
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened next
Gone Too Far, Penalty Clause and Sharpaten are the principles in the opener with Penalty Clause given the nomination. The selection was well-beaten last time on the flat and was outclassed in a handicap hurdle prior to that, but he is back in a more suitable race and a reproduction of his win over Reno at Doncaster back in December would make him hard to beat. Gone Too Far looks the main danger but he has been burdened by his heavy weight in recent outings, although he will not be far way at this level as he has been running in better races than this. He is sure to go well but he will not want any further rain and the suspicion is that he is probably better over slightly further. Sharpaten is the other to warrant respect as this gelding from the Ian Williams yard would certainly have chances on the pick of his form in Ireland, but it is a long time since he got anyway near that level of performance. Of the rest, That's All Jazz was a fair sort on the flat and could be interesting on his hurdling debut, but in an open affair, Penalty Clause is given the vote.
