led until 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, hampered at hurdle
took keen hold, mid-division, lost place when not fluent 7th, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out until last, weakened flat
mid-division, pushed along after 6th, headway next, outpaced when mistake 3 out, rallied from 2 out, ran on flat, went 3rd close home
pressed leader, hit 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 4th, not fluent next, ridden 6th, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, rallied before last, ran on flat
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 7th, about 8th and no impression when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden 3 lenghts clear last, held on
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, ran on, not quite reach winner
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
in rear, effort 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Raincoat would win this at a canter if transferring his flat ability to jumps, but he's not consented to do so thus far and we prefer PLAYERS PLEASE, whilst Restezen D'armor and Miller's Dawn complete the shortlist. Andy Haynes' runner will hopefully be held on to for longer than he was last time, when reeled in over shorter. That was the horse's first run for almost six months and he can be expected to improve upon it, so whilst a 3lb rise doesn't help we fancy him to go very close over a trip he's no problem with. Restezen D'armor may provide the sternest opposition with the drop in trip to suit. He may be seen to better effect over fences in time but connections will be hopeful they can find a race for him in this sphere; a mark of 95 helps on that front. Likewise Miller's Dawn is surely capable of progressing beyond this level, particularly in light of some solid-looking bumper form. He's been highly tried over hurdles so far and has cut very little ice, but that's reflected in this rating and if market support arrived it'd be advisable to take notice. The market should also help solve the Raincoat riddle, especially as the horse has his first run for a new yard. If anywhere near his best he wins, but it's appearing more likely he's past that and indeed far from in love with the winter game. Requin remains capable of better but appears to be the stable second-string, Command Marshall is still paying the price for winning a poor contest in October and Sufad has shown next to nothing so far, so those wanting an each-way angle might do well to turn to Nautical Approach in the hope he shapes better now faced with good ground. In an ordinary race, Players Please looks the likely victor.
Players Please (USA) 11-1 (11-11) Led and soon well clear, 8 lengths clear 3 out, 4 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, headed soon after, no extra, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Roaming West (9-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Raincoat 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden and not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 14l behind Pepporoni Pete (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in May.
Sufad 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden in 3rd when slipped on bend after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 11, well behind Art Exhibition (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '08.
Filippo Lippi (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up, headway and in touch 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Miller's Dawn 80-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 4th, always behind, 5th of 8, 32l behind General Miller (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) sft in Dec.
Roudoudou Ville (FR) (10-3) 8th of 11, 31l behind Kap Dream (10-7) at Nantes(FR) 2m 3f chs in Oct.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, hit 8th, 3rd approaching 2 out and always held, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 20l behind Celian (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Commit To Memory 12-1 (11-8) In touch, pushed along after 5th (4 out), driven along and weakened before next (3 out), 5th of 12, 20l behind Strategic Plan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Requin (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, not fluent 1st, chased winner approaching 3 out until 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Glebehall Bay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 20l behind Stick Together (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Command Marshal (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, no headway 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 35l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Caheerloch (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Devils Delight (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Perkin Warbeck 12-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 15, 28l behind Guydus (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
