disputed lead, stayed on strongly from 3 out
prominent, reminders 11th, effort when blundered 2 out, rallied approaching last, hung right and no extra flat
disputed lead to 4 out, ridden next, kept on
chased leaders, disputed lead 10th to 13th, outpaced 3out
towards rear, headway 15th, ridden and weakened 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 12th, weakened 15th
soon dropped to rear, no chance when fell last
towards rear, struggling halfway, never on terms
prominent, weakened 3 out
soon behind, not fluent, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Dead Mans Dante will be suited by the step up in trip and can land an open affair ahead of Miss Mattie Ross, Harrovian and Interdit. In truth, most of these have been disappointing in the main, but Dead Mans Dante absolutely bolted up in a maiden chase at Sedgefield the time before last, proving that stamina is his forte. With that in mind, the drop back in trip at Warwick in December would not have played to his strengths, and there should be no excuses this time. Miss Mattie Ross can now race off her correct mark, having lined up from six-pound out of the handicap here in December. She was well beaten in fourth that day, but generally goes well round here and can get involved. Harrovian won this very race 12 months ago off the same mark, 110, and although failing to add to that victory, his stable is enjoying a good spell at present, so he is another that can not be totally ruled out. His target is the Scottish National so he should be noted for future reference. Interdit looked to be going the right way before being pulled up over four miles at Hexham, and will appreciate this less exacting journey. It will still take some getting though, and Dead Man Dante's stamina can swing things in his favour today.
Interdit (FR) 6-1 (10-1) In touch, pushed along 19th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Supreme Breeze (10-8) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Harrovian 7-1 (11-6) In touch, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 27l behind D J Flippance (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Miss Mattie Ross 13-2 (9-9) Led 2nd, headed 12th, remained prominent, pushed along 15th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Dec.
Monty's Quest (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led, headed 3rd, led 4th, soon headed, rallied 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 15l behind Robbo (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 22l behind Pass Me A Dime (11-3) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Lord Payne (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Roman Ark (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft, 10 ran.
Red Perk (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 35l behind Aston Lad (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Dec.
Pessimistic Dick 7-2 (9-11) Towards rear, lost place and effort 11th, hampered and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Snowy (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Dec, 6 ran.
