chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
always behind
held up, headway approaching 9th, led 2 out, drew clear, hung left flat, stayed on well
very reluctant to race, virtually took no part
prominent, led 6th to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, led 8th, pecked and headed 9th, still every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 6th, progress when pecked 9th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
raced wide, mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 9th, weakened before 3 out
held up, progress 8th, weakened after 9th
chased leaders to 7th
held up, pushed along after 6th, headway on outside after 7th, ridden after next, weakened well before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace after
led, headed 6th, weakened 9th
Ricardo's Chance gets the vote in the opener with Walton Way and Bite Un Fight the main dangers. The selection could not have done it more cosily on his debut for his new trainer when landing the spoils at Hereford last month. That was his first race for more than two years so he should come on for that effort and with ground conditions very much in his favour he stands out as the one to beat. Walton Way has been in decent form of late and the handicapper has taken note of that. He was a fair third behind Shady Anne at Fontwell last time but he may need to drop a few pounds before he is able to resume winning ways. Bite un Fight was an easy winner at Exeter last time and she is a thorough stayer. She will also relish this ground so she is entitled to be thereabouts at the finish despite her penalty. Brave Jo is a pretty consistent type and is the other with solid place claims, but Ricardo's Chance looks to have put his problems behind him and he can win again tonight.
Ricardo's Chance 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, headway after 3 out, led soon after 2 out, pecked last, pushed out, won at Hereford 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Mar beating Left Hand Drive (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Velvet Dove 8-1 (11-8) Started slowly, in rear, headway 9th, led next, ridden 3 out, headed soon after, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Not For Diamonds (11-1) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf.
Walton Way 9-2fav (11-9) Behind, driven along from 6th, stayed on from 2 out, drifted left and went 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Shady Anne (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Brave Jo (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd until 7th, chased leaders, kept on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind Alderman Rose (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Fight The Feeling 8-1 (11-9) Held up, never on terms, 8th of 14, 29l behind Presenting Alf (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf.
Star Zero 40-1 (11-7) Keen in rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 30l behind Go Harvey Go (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Finzi (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led 2nd, headed 4th, lost place 16th, stayed on again after 3 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Good Book (11-4) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Bite Un Fight 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 4th, hard ridden to lead soon after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, edged right flat, driven out, won at Exeter 3m cnd hcp hdl (5) gf beating Bring On The Bling (9-10) by 10l, 8 ran.
