in rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
with leader, ridden before 3 out, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, went 3rd halfway, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before and mistake last, no impression
always towards rear
towards rear, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, headway 6th, ridden before 2 out, led after 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
led, headed 3 out, hit next, rallied from last, kept on and just held for 3rd close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
Lava Lamp has definite ability but is far from the easiest to catch right. He has decent claims on the best of his form and is a course and distance winner so is certainly one for the shortlist if on a going day. Radmores Revenge is a thoroughly consistent type but is punished by the handicapper accordingly and has plenty on at these weights, whilst Accordingtopalm sprung a 25-1 surprise here in December but hasn't been seen since. A repeat would surely put the Rees inmate in the equation but let's take a chance with RIGIDITY. He too is far from straightforward but he's been taking in some really strong contests over the past 18 months behind the likes of Zarkandar, Celestial Halo and Grandouet. Recent form is less inspiring but maybe the first-time application of a visor can sharpen him up sufficiently to handle these relatively ordinary rivals.
Radmores Revenge 9-2 (11-0) Steadied in last, headway after 7th, led 2 out, not fluent and headed last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Fourovakind (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
Rigidity 33-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden and struggling after 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Oscara Dara (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Enter Milan (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Trackd leaders, not fluent 8th, soon pushed along, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, 20l behind Dj Milan (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Gormanstown Cuckoo 17-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, every chance when not fluent 3 out, no extra next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Open Day (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Accordingtopalm (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Enchanting Smile (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lava Lamp (GER) 9-4fav (10-4) In touch in mid-division, pushed along after 6th, went 3rd before last, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Open Day (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Scoter Fontaine (FR) 17-2 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, stayed on same pace to take 4th approaching last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 11, 13l behind Jumps Road (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
William Hogarth 33-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 7th, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Fourovakind (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Pour Changer (FR) 50-1 (9-8) With leader, led 2nd until after 4th, led 5th, ridden and headed 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Open Day (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
