held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened going to next
held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, never dangerous
in rear, pushed along approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch on inner, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, not much room after last, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, edged right after last, kept on
prominent, weakened approaching 6th
in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on
towards rear, headway on inner after 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on
led, hit 6th, hit and headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division on outer, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
SONNY SAM may be able to open his account over hurdles at the main expense of Mardood and Rawaaj. The selection returned a beaten favourite over course and distance at the start of December since which he has been kept busy on the Flat waiting for the ground to dry out. He'll need to improve on that performance but the better ground is expected to suit and he's had just the five career starts. Mardood makes a quick reappearance under a penalty following a clearcut win in a course and distance seller and is clearly in good heart but that race may not have taken a great deal of winning and he looks worth opposing back up in grade. Rawaaj is one of several in the field that is lightly raced and thus open to improvement and the market may help shed some light on those that are expected to fare better now handicapping. This fellow wears a tongue tie for the first time and may enjoy jumping off this better ground. Seven Stars, Hazy Oaks and Gunpoint are three more names to throw into the mix but preference is for Sonny Sam.
Daltaban (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Always behind, 16th of 18, 48l behind Vecchio Senso (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Gunpoint (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Truckers Hall (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Still Calm 10-1 (11-6) Slowly away, in rear, mistake 3rd, no chance after 3 out, tailed off when fell last, in a race won by Prioryjo (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hcp hld 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Bert's Memory 20-1 (10-11) Not fluent in rear, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Glebehall Bay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Mt Desert 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on outer and mistakes, blundered 7th, led briefly after 3 out, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mardood (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Seven Stars 4-1 (10-13) With leader, ridden 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Lets Go Girls (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Hazy Oaks 11-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway after 3 out, plugged on from next, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Cat Six (9-11) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hcp hdl (0-95) (5) gs.
Papa Drew (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 31l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Boyoboy (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Alasi (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Sonny Sam (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, blundered next, one pace from last, 4th of 13, 14l behind Ballabrook (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gs in Dec.
Mardood 8-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led after 3 out, stayed on well approaching last, won at Catterick 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs beating Samizdat (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Karathaena (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until 3rd, behind after 5th, pulled up after, in a race won by Another Miracle (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Rawaaj 16-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 41l behind Drumshambo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (4yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Cornish Castle (USA) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway soon after weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind Another Miracle (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Middleham Meg 200-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Mr Midaz 22-1 (11-6) With winner, lost place 3rd, dropped to mid-division, fell 7th, in a race won by I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Toby Mac 16-1 (10-4) Chased leaders and keen, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Mardood (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 9 ran.
