in touch, led after 12th, driven out
held up, pecked 1st, headway 4 out, ridden and one pace from 3 out
held up, headway approaching 9th, lost place approaching 12th, rallied when every chance and jumped left 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened last
behind, hampered 4 out, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
mid-division, in touch when hampered and fell 4 out
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, not trouble winner
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 12th, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, pecked 9th, ridden after 12th, weakened after next
held up, effort 12th, soon weakened
We will side with Barton Hill here, with others rating mentions being Strong Magic and Celtic Star. Much as the selection has disappointed on his last two starts, including here, he would hold solid claims based on his Wincanton second in April. In a race where many have questions to answer, he can go well. Even at 13 years of age, Strong Magic has a solid chance if putting in one of his better efforts, and he's just three pounds above a winning mark, while Celtic Star is well weighted based on his Plumpton win of last September and the handicapper is now starting to relent. The lightly-raced Nigel Twiston-Davies runner, Icy Prospect, has something to prove at present, while Young Owen has yet to build on his novice chase win of a year ago. Magico is lightly raced and open to improvement on his chasing bow, while Calon Lan is still capable of a fair run, even at 14, although he will need one of his best efforts to feature. With Tirley Storm seemingly best at Fakenham and Avadi having a bit to prove, we return to the selection, which is Barton Hill.
Icy Prospect (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 8th, not fluent, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Simple Glory (10-10) at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Barton Hill 14-1 (10-12) Held up, lost place from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by The Sister (11-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
Young Owen 16-1 (10-10) Held up and behind, lost touch 5th, left poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Glengarra (10-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Sept.
Magico (NZ) 5-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 5th, outpaced approaching last, rallied and kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Longdale (11-2) at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in May.
Calon Lan (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Held up, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on flat, 4th of 6, 11l behind Flahive's First (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Jul.
Strong Magic (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Prominent to 7th, weakened next, 8th of 12, 21l behind Dead-Eyed Dick (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Sept.
Celtic Star (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Prominent, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 23l behind Thalys (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Tirley Storm 2-1fav (10-2) Held up, broke blood vessel and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Gale Star (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in May, 6 ran.
