in touch, struggling 10th, soon behind, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden to dispute 3rd after 13th, one pace from next
chased winner throughout, ridden after 4 out, kept on, always held from 2 out
held up, headway 10th, went 3rd after 13th, soon ridden, held when hit 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
mistake 1st, held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 13th, gradually weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened before next
set good pace, made all, kept on gamely
struggling to go pace until 6th, headway when mistake 7th, rider lost iron, ridden, some progress approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, never able to get on terms
Not the easiest of races to get to grips with unless you are Mr/Mrs Point-To-Point 2008, and whilst the market will undoubtedly provide some clues, it is Whistling Straits who is fancied to oblige ahead of Feeling Better. All of these runners (bar one) come here on the back of wins of some form or other but Whistling Straits makes most appeal. He was a game winner at Leicester back in February over a shorter trip and having won since, he should run a big race now stepped up in trip. Feeling Better won here at Exeter when last seen and the way that he won going away suggests that this longer trip will be fine, whilst Rockwithacaveman and Marblehead both come here on a hot winning streak. Why Connie may need to brush up slightly on the jumping front but was fairly impressive when winning at Stratford, whilst Lisheen Storm tries blinkers for the first time on the racecourse in the hope of eking out some more improvement. An open contest, with Whistling Straits given the nod.
Feeling Better (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and outpaced 10th, 20 lengths down 4 out, stayed on well from 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hts chs (5) gs in Mar beating Light Des Mulottes (11-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Flashy Sir 12-1 (11-3) In touch, chased winner 4 out, mistake next, led approaching 2 out, soon driven clear, readily, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd in Mar beating Protagonist (11-3) by 10l, 8 ran.
Whistling Straits (IRE) 4-7fav (12-7) (tt) trckd ldrs; led 13-15; led app nxt; stayed on wl, won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Magicien (12-7) by 21l, 4 ran.
Why Connie (IRE) (12-0) Walked over at Garnons 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Ask Again 6-4 (12-4) Led to 4; led 7; r.o wl, won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Cattle Class (12-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Gaye Trigger 3-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden 14th, weakened next, poor 4th when pulled up at the last in race won by Shepherds Hut (11-5) at Exeter 3m 1f hts chs (5) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Lisheen Storm (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) (cp) a.p; led 14; drew clr 3 out; comf, won at Great Trethew 3m ptp sft in Mar beating King Georges (12-0) by 20l, 6 ran.
Marblehead (IRE) 4-7fav (12-5) Made all; clr 15; unchall, won at Paxford 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Oh So Lively (12-5) by a distance, 4 ran.
Rockwithacaveman (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Ww; chall 2 out; qcknd to ld flat; impressive, won at Kilworthy 3m ptp sft in Mar beating Jalons Star (12-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
