chased leaders on outside, pushed along and lost place halfway, weakened over 2f out, soon behind
raced keenly, held up in mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 1f out, soon switched left, went 2nd and ran on under pressure inside final furlong, not quite get up
held up and behind, never dangerous
held up towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, raced keenly, ridden and weakening when hung left inside final furlong
chased leader, led after 1f, headed 2f out, chased leader until ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt, took keen hold and soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on under pressure
towards rear, hampered over 6f out, never on terms
raced keenly, led 1f, led again 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
mid-division on inside, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
It's rare to find a John Gosden-trained entry at the bottom of a handicap on the all-weather and WILFRED OWEN only has a mark of 48. He showed nothing in maiden and novice company but, wearing blinkers for the first time at Chelmsford, he made a promising handicap debut and would have finished closer if he had had the run of the race. He won't get many better chances and can see off this moderate field. Zapateado won here in November and though only second in a claimer on a return visit she can get into the action as can Laytown, who hasn't been beaten far in any of her three starts in novice company. Oneroa was staying on over 6f here last month and has a bit of scope but Ray Purchase didn't appear to take to Tapeta at Newcastle where he started favourite.
Northern Law (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Go Now Go Now (9-2) at Beverley 7f (5) gd in Aug.
Oneroa (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Held up and behind, headway and hung left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Mount Wellington (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Laytown (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased leaders until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Augenblick (9-0) at Kempton 7f fll stks (6) pol in Oct.
Hollywood Dream 12-1 (9-7) Keen, raced wide close up, ran wide into straight 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 34l behind Bezos (9-9) at Lingfield 7f (6) pol in Dec.
Astroblaze 100-1 (8-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Dancing Brave Bear (8-12) at Lingfield 7f fll stks (5) pol in Dec.
Bad Dog 6-1 (8-9) Outpaced in rear after 1f, never a factor, last of 7, 7 3/4l behind By Royal Approval (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Elixsoft (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, driven over 4f out, well beaten when short of room over 1f out, 10th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Shades Of Mist (9-7) at Southwell 6f (6) pol in Dec.
Runthatbymeagain (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Outpaced in last pair, plugged on final furlong, 5th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Tie Em Up Tel (8-11) at Windsor 6f stks (5) gf in Jun.
Ray Purchase 9-2fav (8-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Cuppacoco (8-2) at Newcastle 6f (6) pol in Oct.
Wilfred Owen 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Roseau City (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f (6) pol in Dec.
Zapateado 11-4 (8-6) Close up, not much room and dropped to rear approaching 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Carp Kid (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Dec.
