chased leader, led after 3rd, kept on under pressure from last
held up, not fluent, in 4th and weakening when mistake 3 out
led until after 3rd, chased leader and hit next, hit 4 out, about a length down when stumbled on landing last, kept on same pace
in rear, pushed along after 4 out, kept on from next, no impression
held up, went moderate 3rd 3 out, one pace
in touch, not fluent, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next
Nonrunner
Ruairi, King Mak and Akilak are three against the field in this competitive novices' handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to Ruari. The selection was a good second behind the well handicapped Master Gloss last time out. That form looks solid and under conditions that suit, off what remains a fair mark, he looks the one to be on. King Mak rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Cash Man but he had an easy lead on that occasion and as that does not look likely here he is taken on. Akilak has disappointed of late but it would be no surprise if he were to bounce back to form on this better ground and he should be watched in the market. Helen Wood looked a horse to follow early in the season but has not progressed as expected. Of the others, Majorca could go well at a price as he looks sure to have the race run to suit but Ruari is our idea of the winner despite top weight.
Ruairi (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Led until 6th, chased winner, challenging when blundered 4 out, held from next, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Mister Gloss (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd.
Helen Wood 8-1 (10-8) Held up, hit 10th, steady headway 11th, effort 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 34l behind King Louis (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd.
King Mak 11-4 (10-11) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gs in Mar beating Cash Man (10-9) by 14l, 7 ran.
Akilak (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Held up in touch, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Double Eagle (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Majorca 5-2 (11-12) Tracked clear leader, not fluent 4th, jumped left throughout, headway 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 8, 8l behind Tyup Pompey (10-9) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (4) gd.
Just Jaffa (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Tracked leader until mistake 12th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, 36l behind Wizard of Edge (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
The Stickler 14-1 (11-10) Held up and behind, not fluent 5th, mistake 6th, short-lived under pressure 9th, 7th of 9, 32l behind Or de Grugy (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Present Oriented (USA) 66-1 (10-7) Prominent early, lost place after 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Kew Jumper (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 16 ran.
Red Scally 14-1 (10-13) Always behind, outpaced 11th, jumped slowly 5 out, no chance when pulled up 5 out in race won by Reap The Reward (10-8) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs, 9 ran.
