mid-division, lost place 6th, weakened 11th
mid-division, mistake 8th, ridden and effort 10th, weakened next
prominent, chased leader and mistake 10th, joined leader 11th, hit 12th, led after 3 out, 1 length clear last, raced reluctantly and headed close home (awarded race)
towards rear, headway and went 3rd 11th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd briefly 2 out, kept on same pace
led to ridden and headed after 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on gamely from last, led close home (diqualified for failing to weigh in at the correct weight)
towards rear, lost touch 9th, soon tailed off
disputed lead, reminders 6th and lost place, behind 9th, pulled up before 11th
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 8th
Nonrunner
On paper this looks a weak handicap where we narrowly prefer the chances of SILVER STEEL ahead of Tosula and Carrickmines. The selection is still a maiden after eleven runs but has been showing signs that tag may be banished soon. He narrowly missed out on scoring over a similar trip at Southwell last time, that was off this mark when well clear of the rest and this looks easier. Tosula is off the mark but that victory came in December 2007 off a rating 13lbs lower. Usually close in races of this quality his reluctance to score is concerning but he should be competitive again here. Carrickmines, like the selection, is still a maiden this time after 14 outings over obstacles. It could be that his rating was on the high side as he put in a better effort when a well beaten third last time off this current mark and while he will be helped by this step down in class the quick ground conditions may be against him. Salsero and Himba would be the only others to really consider but their form is nothing to get excited about so we turn to Silver Steel.
Tosula 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 9th, narrowly headed and left in lead next, headed next, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Killfinnan Castle (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Salsero (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Mostly chased winner until after 12th and again 14th, mistake 18th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by BallyGalley Bob (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Silver Steel (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, challenged 3 out, stayed on from last, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Ross Leader (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Carrickmines (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Radar Love 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Runshan (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always in rear, 12th of 17, well behind Pepito Collonges (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs.
Lord Lieutenant (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, reminders 5th, lost place approaching 7th, behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Donald Will Do (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Indian Chase 66-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 11th, ridden 14th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, well behind Peter Pole (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Himba 9-1 (10-13) Never travelling in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mr Big (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (0-90) (5) gd in Jan, 14 ran.
