tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and no impression
mid-division and pushed along, pecked badly and unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
held up behind, headway 10th, one pace from 3 out
made all, clear before 2 out
always towards rear, weakened from 12th, soon went remote 4th
always towards rear, tailed off before 12th
tracked leaders, weakened before 13th
Irish Thistle won a better race than this at Sandown a year ago but has run poorly since and has dropped 10lb in the ratings. Winning hurdler Benability has only had three starts over fences and shown little while Very Live has failed to complete in four of his seven starts since completing a double last season. Miss Oscarose, three times a winner between the flags, was fortunate to score at Warwick in November when Larteta finished 8l second and has been a bit disappointing in her two recent starts when well supported. The drying ground will suit BLACKWOOD ROVER, just beaten over this track and trip in October in what was a better race than this and unsuited by much softer conditions in later runs.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) In touch in rear, jumped left 4th, closed on outside 8th, challenged 10th, driven before 3 out, soon one pace, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Bally Lagan (10-0) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Very Live (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Cruising Bye 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Wicked Willy (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Blackwood Rover (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Raced on inside, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Benability (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 32 3/4l behind Bandon Roc (12-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Miss Oscarose (IRE) 2-1fav (10-5) Prominent, jumped left 10th, every chance 3 out, blundered last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Midnight Mustang (10-3) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
That's The Deal (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29 3/4l behind Bally Lagan (10-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Larteta (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Kapgarde King (11-10) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
