in touch, blundered badly 6th, ridden 8th, beaten 3 out
held up, effort and reminders after 6th, ridden 3 out, kept on run in, no chance with first 2
in touch, reminders and out paced from 2nd, ridden and behind from 6th
prominent, behind after 6th, soon reminders and beaten
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, blundered badly next, weakeneing and fell 2 out
tracked leaders, smooth headway to reach 3 out, shaken up 2 out comfortably
led, headed 3 out, ridden next, no chance with winner
mid-division, in touch after 6th, ridden 8th and soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit 5th, ridden after 7th and in touch, weakened from 9th
Sireric is well in to the veteran stage of his career but retains all his enthusiasm as he showed when a most decisive winner over this trip at Newcastle in late January. The 13-year-old looked likely to follow up off a 7lb higher mark on a return visit to Gosforth Park earlier in the week but, having dictated terms throughout, he was collared on the run-in and had to settle for the runners-up berth. That was still a fine effort considering he was racing from out of the handicap proper and he should take plenty of pegging back off a 2lb lower mark today. Gratton Lodge is a most progressive stayer who comes here on a four-timer but is no less than 26lb higher compared to his first win and the suspicion is that the handicapper may have caught up with Howard Johnson's charge. Dual novice winner Tufty Hopper failed to justify favouritism on his handicap debut at Catterick last month but is open to further improvement and will appreciate the quick surface. Robbo is well treated on his best chase form but has been below his best of late and there remains a question mark over his stable at present. Camp Nou appeared to be progressing along the right lines with handicap victories at Southwell and Newton Abbot before flopping next time and now has something to prove off his current mark.
