held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway when mistake 10th, chased winner after 3 out, no impression, stumbled last
prominent, reminders after 8th, lost place 10th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
held up, headway 4th, hit 7th and lost place, progess 9th, hit next, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leader, not fluent and reminder after 9th, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, raced wide, led 3 out, clear when jumped right 2 out, went right last, pushed out
chased leaders, lost place 4th, rallied approaching 4 out, 5th when rider had problems with stirrup iron and pulled up before 3 out
led, reminders at various stages, headed 3 out, soon no impression in 3rd
A low grade event where CHICAGO ALLEY might just be forced into winning from Gemini Storm and Reasonably Sure. Tony Carroll's gelding probably should have won last time out and didn't really help the rider by appearing fairly reluctant in the finish. That said, the front two were well clear and he could be worth another chance under a useful claiming rider. Gemini Storm is modest so the 5lb rise for victory at Leicester is probably fair enough on balance. Any drying out of the going would be helpful to her cause. Reasonably Sure continues in the visor he wore on his reappearance from absence. The handicapper has certainly given him a chance versus some of that old form. Mr Ironman appears to have been revitalised by his switch to Alan Jones and is likely to run his race. Sir Bumble was heavily backed at Taunton though never gave the layers too much discomfort at any stage. The remainder look ordinary at best. Not a strong race and Chicago Alley can finally get off the mark today.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Led until not fluent and headed 3rd, chased leader until 6th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Holmwood Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Close up, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Manoubi (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Isaac Butt (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) In touch early, soon in mid-division, struggling 10th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Categorical (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Mr Ironman 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway to track leaders 14th, effort 2 out, ridden to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Man of The Moment (11-6) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Gemini Storm 15-2 (9-8) Held up in rear on outside, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, challenged 11th, led 4 out, remained hard pressed, edged left after 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f Am hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Kinkeel (10-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Colinette 28-1 (9-12) In rear, soon off bridal, behind 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Jackers (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Mr Parson (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Led until not fluent 5th, ridden 10th, weakened approaching 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quiet Bob (11-9) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 9 ran.
Chicago Alley 6-1 (10-10) In rear, headway to track leaders 7th, chased winner 4 out, every chance when blundered 3 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Bold Punt (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
