tracked leaders and soon driven along, ridden and lost place 8th, rallied 3 out, chased leading pair and one pace
held up, headway approaching 10th, tracked winner 3 out, close up last, no extra
tracked winner, mistake 7th, and 4 out weakened 2 out
held up, closer order 6, jumped left, weakned 10th
made all, ridden approaching 3 out, challenged approaching last, kept on
Despite the excellent record of Oh Crick at this track we will oppose Alan King's runner in favour of the in form TAMADOT and Oscar Bay is also in with more than a good chance. Phillip Hobbs saddles the selection who won over distance in similar conditions at Taunton on his last visits to a racecourse. The form from that racce has yet to be proved but the line from his penultimate start, where he was third of eight worked out well and he should be too talented for this field. Oh Crick is two wins from two starts at this course and was competitive in better company last year. However his last two starts have been a little disappointing, falling last time, and he has a little to find on the selection based on the official ratings. Oscar Bay will act on this ground and took a better race than this last summer. He's since failed to score given similar opportunities so confidence has waned but he has more than enough talent to be of interest. Soixante has been running well and his results reflect that but Jonjo O'Neill's charge faces a better class of animal this time including our idea of the winner Tamadot.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led, hung left, reminders after 4th, headed after 7th, ridden to lead 10th, headed after 11th, kept on same pace from 4 out, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Oh Crick (FR) 9-4 (11-4) In touch, raced keenly, not fluent 9th, close 3rd when fell 5 out in race won by Ring The Boss (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Tamadot (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, clear 10th, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Luxurix (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Baren De Doc (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Midnight Chase (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Soixante (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (11-0) Led, ridden 2 out, hard ridden and headed flat, 2nd of 9, nk behind Idarah (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
