held up and mistakes, ridden from 14th, no chance with first 2
led until 2nd, stayed in touch until ridden 11th and gradually weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on gamely to lead run-in
held up in touch, lost place from 9th, ridden 14th, soon beaten
led after 2nd, headed 4th, led again approaching 4 out, soon ridden, joined last, headed, no extra run-in
held up in touch and keen, led 4th, hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
El Andaluz has solid claims off the same mark as when successful at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but that was on a much softer surface than today's and preference is for Arctic Lagoon, who gets the vote ahead of Magnificent Seven. The last mentioned looks to be one of the lesser lights in Howard Johnson's yard and is not certain to be suited by the faster ground today, while Irish raider She's My Girl, who has to be respected given her connections, has yet to prove her effectiveness over this far. Nomadic Blaze has failed to complete in three starts this term so can hardly be backed with any confidence, while Sue Bradburne's Not A Trace has given little sign of encouragement. The vote then goes to the latter's stablemate Arctic Lagoon who comes here in reasonable form, has trip and ground to suit and he is taken to make the most of the conditions.
El Andaluz (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Rear, blundered badly 1st, headway 5th, led 1f out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Dec beating Blackergreen (11-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Arctic Lagoon (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) In touch, outpaced 14th, ridden 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Precious Bane (10-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Magnificent Seven (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by D J Flippance (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Nomadic Blaze 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division when fell at the 9th in race won by Captain Mac (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Not A Trace (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Always behind pulled up at the 9th in race won by Fountain Brig (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
She's My Girl (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Led until fell at the 12th in race won by Snowy (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Dec, 6 ran.
