mid-division, not fluent 1st, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, lost place quickly 4th, mistake next, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakening and tired when fell 2 out
always in rear, pulled up before 4 out
led, clear after 3rd, slow jump 5th, weakening when headed 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 3 out, ran on
held up rear, headway 5th, driven to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, steady headway from 5th, no further impression
mid-division and keen, ridden and kept on one pace
always in the rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division and fell 4th
tracked leaders and keen, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening when blundered last
A poor contest gets proceedings underway but something has to win and the principals look to be Pilca, Gold Guest and Secret's Out and the vote is given to Pilca. The selection has been in fair form of late without winning but a reproduction of his latest second behind Compton Star sets a fair standard in the context of this race as this represents a drop in class, and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Gold Guest rates the main danger on his best form but he dissapointed last time out, however the return to this trip should suit and he should be noted in the market. Secret's Out is another that could go well on his latest third behind Nesnass but the fact that he only has one win in 59 starts is off putting. Trotter's Bottom looks on a fair mark and is unexposed so could go well at a price. Of the remainder Heathyards Joy showed a modicum of ability on her debut and is another that is sure to improve but in a race where few can be fancied for the winner we return to Pilca.
Gold Guest 10-3 (11-4) In rear and keen, headway 4 out, pecked 3 out, chased leaders and weakened soon after, 6th of 17, 27l behind Arabian Moon (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) gf.
Brother Ted 25-1 (11-0) Behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Before The Mast (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs, 12 ran.
Gappersonneldotcom (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Always behind, 7th of 9, well behind Island Light (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Kalani Star (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, effort and weakened from 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind Theatre Diva (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
Nebraska City 50-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, led after 1st to 3rd, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 49l behind Lodgician (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Pilca (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Led to 4th, led before 5th, headed last, hard ridden and rallied flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Compton Star (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Secret's Out 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 6th, jumped right 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Nesnaas (10-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Spy Gun (USA) 100-1 (10-2) Held up, always behind, 14th of 16, well behind New Team (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Trotters Bottom 28-1 (10-12) Held up, blundered badly 5th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd when mistake last, lost 2 places flat, 5th of 13, 11l behind Shingle Street (11-8) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Valfonic 18-1 (10-10) Led until after 1st, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Wages (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Charlene (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, improved into 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out, left 5th from last, 5th of 17, 13l behind Monty Mint (11-7) at Cork 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 frm in Sept.
Heathyards Joy 16-1 (10-3) Prominent, jumped slowly 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 8l behind Karakorum Highway (10-10) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Mercari 300-1 (10-5) Always in rear, weakened from 4th, tailed off 4 out, 14th of 15, well behind Lerida (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
