mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, driven and headed last, close 3rd when hampered and stumbled flat, kept on
tracked leaders, headway under pressure 3 out, driven to lead last, hung right flat, stayed on
in rear, ridden approaching 5th, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
behind, tailed off 4th, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged approaching last, kept on one pace flat
held up, reminders 3rd, challenged approaching 2 out until driven and weakened approaching last
prominent, ridden and lost place 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
led, headed 4th, every chance 3 out until driven and weakened approaching next
held up, outpaced halfway, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
prominent, led 4th, headed next, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon lost place
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon behind
SIMPLE JIM is a confident selection with Harcas and Gamma Velorum most likely to present him with the most problems. A winner at Wetherby, he battled gamely to defy a persistent threat and as he is unpenalised for that success, if that race hasn't taken the edge off him, he should be capable of following up. Harcas had a recent run on the flat so should not have any issues in regard to fitness. His hurdling campaign has been little to write home about. Gamma Velorum is a regular in plating grade. He does have a small absence to overcome today. Pete makes his first ever foray into handicap company so the market should be watched. Uptown Lad has ran creditably in similar grade at this track in the past so he should have place claims if running up to the best of that form. Follow On is another for whom similar comments apply while Springvic has had a disappointing campaign thus far. Simple Jim should prove too good for them in the finale.
Simple Jim (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, won at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar beating Ton-Chee (11-1) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Gamma Velorum (IRE) 4-1fav (10-7) In touch, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Delightfully (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Big Bone (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Held up, weakened from 7th, 12th of 17, well behind Description (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 40-1 (11-9) Close up, hit 2nd, pushed along next, soon lost place, 13th of 17, well behind Simple Jim (11-12) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Harcas (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, weakened from 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Description (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Springvic (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Held up, never troubled leaders, 7th of 10, well behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Follow On 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 18l behind Pontop (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Pete 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, well behind Livvy Inn (10-2) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Chicago Jazz (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) 4th of 11, 14l behind Ingratitude (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May '07.
Dippy Duck (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Approaching last, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Oh Yah Dancer (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Ceilidh Lass (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Always behind, 12th of 16, 47l behind Little Shilling (11-13) at Musselburgh 3m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (5) gf in Nov.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Oso Magic (11-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Laconicos (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on outside, led approaching 4th, headed approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 42l behind Supreme de Paille (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Dance Sauvage 100-1 (10-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 47l behind Fortysecond Street (11-6) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd.