held up in rear, ridden after 8th, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on same pace from 2 out, left 4th last
not fluent, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, 8 lenghts 4th when fell last
prominent, led 9th until after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, led last, edged left flat, ran on
led until after 3rd, mistake 4th, not fluent next, led 7th until not fluent 9th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th or 7th, some headway 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, held up, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to go 3rd 2 out, not get to front pair
prominent, led after 3rd until 7th, not fluent next, weakened 9th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders on inside, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on outside, reminder after 5th, ridden 8th, weakened next
towards rear, headway on inside approaching 9th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6th, not fluent 8th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last, not quicken
SAULTY MAX, Paradise Expected and Sadlers Mot are our three against the field here with narrow preference for the former. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge made a pleasing handicap debut last time over this trip, in the process giving a beating to Paradise Expected. It is interesting that Tim Vaughan opts to reoppose with his runner, but our selection has scope for progression off this mark and Tom Molloy is a more than capable pilot whose 3lb claim will help. That said, Paradise Expected can still feature here; she's a consistent sort who has winning form here and a 1lb turnaround in the weights at least gives connections hope with John Gerrard once again taking the ride. Sadlers Mot is another runner from a powerful yard and should figure here if bouncing back from a substandard effort last time. That came at the quirky Fontwell circuit and perhaps the mare simply didn't enjoy the experience; the market will reveal more. Little Firecracker saddles top weight and might struggle to do so successfully with a couple of these looking likely improvers. She was once with Tim Vaughan so the Welsh handler should no where he stands and of more interest at a price is Tasty Tarn, dropped 8lbs following a modest handicap debut. She's unexposed and capable of better along with She Is A Cracker who gets the assistance of the talented Peter Toole, but in a poor affair we'll return to Saulty Max.
Little Firecracker 25-1 (10-7) Held up, weakened approaching last, 4th of 15, 15l behind Guydus (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Tasty Tarn 16-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left 2nd, joined and jumped left 6th, soon headed, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 5, well behind Glenwood Knight (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Midnight Ocean 14-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Tokpela (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Saddlers Mot 17-2 (10-9) Mid-division, struggling 10th, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 49l behind Paktol Des Brosses (10-9) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Paradise Expected 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 13, 10l behind Canni Thinkaar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Saulty Max (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Chased winner, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Canni Thinkaar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Joking Aside (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, eased, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Bosamcliff (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Jaunty Dove 40-1 (10-6) Always behind, tailed off 9th, 12th of 13, well behind Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Sylroy 50-1 (10-2) Never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tara Taylor (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
She Is A Cracker (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Made most, mistake 6th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Mamba (GER) 10-1 (10-5) In touch, not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Quotable 20-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, took keen hold, well behind after 4th, pulled up after, in a race won by Tom O'tara (10-11) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Shropshirelass 11-1 (9-12) Chased leaders until lost place before 5th, brief rally after 3 out, weakened under pressure before next, 5th of 8, 16l behind Harcourt (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.