led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and held from last
with leader, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and held run-in
tracked leaders, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, driven out
held up in touch and in rear, reminders halfway, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, unseated rider 1st
in touch, weakened from 4 out, pulled up
Ryedale Racer was well beaten in a handicap at Haydock last time but had landed a double in novice company at the end of last year. Progress Drive opened his account over timber with a success at Ayr and Perfect Pirate returned a shock 40/1 winner at Towcester last month. All of the above carry penalties for their respective victories and that should hand the advantage to QUIETLY (NAP), a close-up third at Wetherby on his latest start when finishing a street clear of the rest. Sue Smith’s charge gets the vote with Rocku having shown little so far.
Ryedale Racer 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3rd, bumped 7th, lost place 4 out, well beaten 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 11, 13l behind Splash of Ginge (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Perfect Pirate 40-1 (10-12) Made most, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec beating Another Venture (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 15 ran.
Progress Drive (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 5 out, led before 2 out and not fluent, kept on, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating King Of Fashion (10-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Dr West (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 16l behind King Of Fashion (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Quietly (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Baden (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Rocku 150-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden before 2 out, headway soon after, no extra from last, 4th of 14, 30l behind Lough Derg Jewel (11-0) at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
