held up, hit 6th, headway approaching 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, led flat, pushed out
soon led, occasionally wanted to veer right, ridden 2 out, headed flat, no extra
always in rear, tailed off
prominent until weakened approaching 2 out
fell 2nd
in touch, ridden when mistake 4 out, weakening when hit 3 out
in touch, went handy after 8th, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, badly hampered 2nd, headway after 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off
chased leader to 3rd, remained handy, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off
held up in rear, bumped and stumbled 6th, hit next, behind when pulled up before 9th
prominent, raced keenly, hit 7th, weakened 2 out, mistake last
mid-division, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 1st, headway approaching 5th, dropped rear 8th, behind when pulled up after 9th
Nonrunner
An 11lb higher mark might not be enough to prevent CARRICKMINES from completing the hat-trick at the chief expense of Ponchatrain and Bradford Boris. Our selection couldn't be in better form having registered back-to-back successes in the space of a week or so when last seen. The last of those came at the start of December over a trip similar to today's and, although the winning margin was only three lengths, the smooth manner of victory suggested a significant rise in the weights was due. That rise has of course arrived but 11lbs looks fair and this race isn't the strongest, so we expect the gelding to complete the three-timer here ahead of Ponchatrain. The Keighley-trained runner unseated his rider at Fontwell last time when bidding to follow up a narrow success at the course prior to that. It is worth noting though that the horse was well held when unshipping Warren Marston last time and, although that race perhaps came too soon, it may just be that the handicapper has him about right now off a mark of 85. Bradford Boris is less exposed than those mentioned and could prove to be up to winning off this mark in time. Nick Williams has his string in pretty good order and this one ran as well as could've been hoped on his chasing debut last time. The big question mark is the ground as this will be the softest he's encountered but on breeding at least it shouldn't inconvenience the gelding who could run well if showing further improvement. He's just preferred to Afistfullofpebbles as best of the rest, with the last named having looked set to take a hand in proceedings when brought down last time. Despite the mishap that represented an improved performance from this five-year-old and with AP taking the ride for the first time his chance must not be underestimated, particularly if there is market support. Master Cobbler was outclassed in better company last time but back down in grade he'd have a chance off this mark, although it's undoubtedly a concern that his best form has come on livelier ground, whilst Ours has no such worries but might just need dropping a few pounds as he's yet to win off a mark this high. The feasibly-treated Glimmer Of Light has form figures that tell their own tale and so those looking for something at a longer price might do well to turn to Bobby Donald who ran well back from a break last time and has form under these conditions. Both Dolans Bay and Aboukir Bay are worth market checks but without that guide Carrickmines is put forward as a strong suggestion.
Afistfullofpebbles 16-1 (11-6) Held up in last, closed after 7th, right in behind leaders when brought down 4 out, in a race won by Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Carrickmines (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on strongly flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Oncle Kid (11-11) by 3l, 8 ran.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Last before 2nd, behind 5th, pulled up before 8th, dismounted, in a race won by Agglestone Rock (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jul, 4 ran.
Ours (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 6th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, weakened after next, left poor 4th last, 4th of 13, 35l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Premier Bleu (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 9th, soon behind, last of 5, 48l behind Den of Iniquity (11-0) at Folkestone 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Cornas (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f chs (2) sft.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, prominent, chased leader 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace in 3rd when hit last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Like A Duke (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Aboukir Bay (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon under pressure, weakened, 8th of 9, 37l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Gift Of The Gods (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake 5th, lost touch approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Morning Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf, 9 ran.
Bradford Boris 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 5th, mistake and hampered 7th, headway 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 14, 14l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Omme Antique (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Soon prominent, hit 11th, soon ridden, weakening when jumped slowly 2 out, 6th of 8, 28l behind Knighton Combe (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Dolans Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway into mid-division 6th, ridden and kept on under pressure from 2 out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 11l behind Garleton (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Tokpela (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, behind 11th, effort 14th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 21l behind Sullumo (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, slow 12th, soon ridden, headway when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ere Alfie (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft, 13 ran.
