chased leaders, lost place 7th, headway 11th, kept on from 3 out, not pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, lost place and rear from 6th, stayed on again approaching 3 out, no danger
mid-division, steady headway from 11th, chased winner from 13th, soon challenging, bumped 3 out, still every chance last, hung left under pressure and not quicken flat
behind, not fluent 9th, headway on inner 11th, led 13th, joined soon after, went left 3 out, pressed and wandered last, driven and stayed on well flat
mid-division, ridden after 10th, soon behind
mid-division on outside, blundered 2nd, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off and pulled up soon after
behind, reminders 6th, headway 12th, chased leading pair before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
led, headed 6th, chased leader, weakened after 13th, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened before 11th, tailed off when blundered 13th, pulled up soon after
chased leader, led 6th, hit 12th, blundered and headed next, stayed chasing leaders until no extra before 3 out
behind, headway into mid-division 7th, headway to chase leaders 11th, weakened after 4 out
behind, stayed on from 4 out, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 11th, tailed off
A quality renewal and the vote is given to CARRICK OSCAR ahead of Who Else Knew and Loita Hills. The selection was in good form when last seen five months ago at Chepstow, finishing second to Gullible Gordon. Although that horse hasn't franked the form since, the feeling is that this son of Oscar is open to more improvement over an ideal trip. Loita Hills has been off the track for a long time but is a major player on his old form from 2008, I Hear Thunder is a course winner and he should appreciate the drop in trip today, whilst Alphabetical would like the ground to dry up. He was arguably sent to the front too early last time out and he needs hanging on to for a bit longer today. Lindsay should be fit from recent point-to-point runs, Who Else Knew won this race twelve months ago and had a good pipe-opener at Taunton last month, whilst The Boss Roche has a prolific record in-between the flags and is not to be scoffed at here. Youllbesolucky is considered, however the vote of confidence goes to Carrick Oscar.
Alphabetical (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Mid-division, headway after 11th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 15l behind Gentle George (12-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 10, 17l behind Toby Jug (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Loita Hills (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 15l behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct '08.
Carrick Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Close up, chased winner approaching 5 out, no chance from 3 out, ridden and beaten when hit next, 2nd of 6, 23l behind Gullible Gordon (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nov stks (3) gd in Oct.
Lindsay (FR) 16-1 (12-5) Chsd ldr to 10; lft poor 2nd 2 out; dem last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Merry Vic (12-5) at Cottenham 3m ptp gs in Feb.
Organiz (FR) 8-1 (12-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, ridden bypassing omitted 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Vicario (11-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed up 6th, chased leaders in 4th on long run to 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Sericina (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Feb.
Beau Supreme (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Chased leader and clear of rest, lost 2nd after 8th, weakened 12th (3 out), 6th of 9, 50l behind Sericina (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Feb.
Curradoon (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Prom to 13; wknd, 5th of 8, 37l behind William Somers (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp in Feb.
Light Des Mulottes (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Led 2 til hdd aft 12; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Thisthatandtother (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Feb, 13 ran.
The Boss Roche (IRE) 7-4 (12-6) Held up; hdwy 12; nvr able to chall, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Bannow Strand (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in May.
Thunder Child 25-1 (12-0) In tch til 14; 4th when pu nxt, in a race won by Walter De Wodeland (12-0) at Great Trethew 3m ptp in Feb, 1 ran.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 11th to 12th, led 16th to 3 out, hanging right from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Tikram (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gd in May.
