set decent gallop, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 4th, not fluent, lost place 6th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no chance with first 2
held up and behind, steady headway on the inside approaching 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, ridden approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 1st, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 6th, close 4th and ridden when hit 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out, mistake last
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, every chance 3 out, jumped left, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up and behind, blundered 3rd, hit 7th, never dangerous
held up, headway 6th, led going well approaching 3 out, shaken up flat, comfortably
Another competitive affair with Super Formen, McGruders Cross and Cottingham all worth noting with the vote going to the last named. The selection is five pounds higher for his win at Ludlow but comes into the race in fine form and prior to that had caught the eye when third of fifteen behind Pagano at Taunton. If repeating that form he has to be given a live chance of landing himself in the winners enclosure once again. Super Formen races off a mark of 128 on his handicap debut which looks a little harsh for what he has achieved on his sole outing when winning a novice event at Chepstow two weeks ago. Having said the connections are claiming seven pounds off his back which will ease the burden so any market moves should be noted. McGruders Cross has risen fourteen pounds for winning at Catterick last month which seems a little extreme since that was his first win in two years and for that reason is possibly best watched for the time being. So for the winner we return to Cottingham.
McGruders Cross (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Keen early, led, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Deedeetee (10-9) by 23l, 10 ran.
St Matthew (USA) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 9th, soon tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Opera Mundi (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Trompette (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, reminders 4th, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 9, 21l behind Chomba Womba (11-5) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Cottingham (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan beating Archie Gunn (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wizard of Us 11-2 (11-12) Led to 7th, ridden approaching next, weakened 9th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Bobby Gee (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Super Formen (FR) 3-1 (10-7) In touch, steady headway approaching 5th, jumped left from 4 out, mistake 3 out, led approaching last, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy beating Quartano (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Glinton 25-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, well behind Khasab (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Moon Star (GER) 14-1 (11-9) Always prominent, raced keenly, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before last, shaken up and quickened clear flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs beating Caliban (11-8) by 5l, 16 ran.
Kickahead (USA) 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon held, 6th of 10, 23l behind Cottingham (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Smoothly Does It 11-8fav (9-12) Held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan '07 beating The Hairy Lemon (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
