led, mistake 4 out, soon headed and weakened
chased leaders, weakened 2 out
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, hit and behind from 4th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, led after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, challenged last, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next
in touch and keen, headway 4 out, led approaching 3 out, under pressure from last, kept on well
held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
KING JACK can surprise plenty in this handicap but Bedlam Boy and Mirage Dore are likely to have their supporters. Richard Phillips is more than capable of training winners when he has the right ammunition and while today's trip may be a slight concern, the sticky conditions might just bring stamina into play and this lightly weighted runner has to come into the equation. Bedlam Boy tends to run his best races at this time of year so one should not be surprised to see him leave behind modest form. Mirage Dore beat Fair Along at Cheltenham last autumn. If able to reproduce that level of form, he is a danger to all. Venetia Williams continues in good form so don't rule out Gods Token at decent odds. Lothian Falcon is likely to need this pipeopener before taking on bigger targets later in the season. Gaspara is an admirable mare but she is not ideally built to carry welterweights such as these. Calatagan and King's Quay both have quirks but either are more than capable of running sound races if they consent to do so. Charlie Crab did not take to the larger obstacles but he won a hurdles race at the track in December, much to the discomfort of the Scoop 6 bonus fund players. Ellerslie Tom was third in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock but might just have needed the going to be a little quicker than what has obtained. A competitive Saturday handicap suitable for punters, bookmakers and broadcasters and King Jack gets the nod.
Gaspara (FR) 8-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 14, 29l behind One Gulp (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, remained close up, led again when hit 3 out, narrow lead when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Palomar (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Charlie Crab 7-1 (11-12) Led approaching 2nd until approaching 7th, led again after 4 out, ridden next, kept on until hit and headed last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Folk Tune (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Kings Quay 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 12th of 18, well behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Gods Token 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 15th of 17, 36l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Magical Legend 25-1 (11-0) Led, headed 6th, weakened 3 out, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by United (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs, 8 ran.
Ellerslie Tom 20-1 (11-4) In rear, hit 3 out, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, one pace before last, 5th of 15, 5l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Lothian Falcon 7-1 (9-9) Mid-dvision, headway from 3 out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 5th of 19, 7l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Calatagan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Not fluent, always behind, struggling from 8th, 8th of 9, well behind Santa's Son (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
King Jack 14-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders approaching next, one pace approaching last, 4th of 19, 9l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Tartan Snow 10-1 (10-10) In touch, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 11, 5l behind Harmony Brig (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Gold Gun (USA) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 6th until after next, weakened soon after 3 out, 11th of 19, 26l behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression between last 2, 6th of 19, 16l behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Percussionist (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Lost place after 1st, struggling 4th, never dangerous, 10th of 12, well behind Border Tale (10-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Mirage Dore (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, progress from 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct beating Fair Along (11-5) by 2l, 16 ran.
