led, not fluent and headed 9th, weakened 11th
tracked leaders, led 9th, clear next, headed 2 out and weakened
tracked leader to 4th, weakened 11th
held up, stayed on to finish for 4th
held up and keen, headway 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, every chance last, no extra
held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out
in touch and keen, hit 3rd, headway 5th, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The best race on a very moderate card and ZORRO DE LA VEGA can score from Marked Man, Jack's Lad and Battlefield. The selection carries a 7lb penalty for an easy win here from Jack's Lad last time over two miles. This step up in trip is not obviously going to hinder him, he relishes a sound surface and although consistency has never been his strong suit this is not a hot contest and he may well be good enough to back up. Jack's Lad is weighted to narrow the gap between the pair of them, but he has rarely been at his best when tried here and also appears to act best when there is cut in the ground, so we will again take him on. Battlefield has won his last two starts at Ludlow and Leicester over the minimum distance but he does get this trip and although all his wins have come with some cut he can go well enough on a sound surface to suggest that he can take home some prize money. Course and distance scorer Marked Man has conditions to suit and has now slipped to a very handy mark again. A 3lb claim from Charlie Poste will do no harm and this likeable veteran might well give the selection most to do. The inconsistent Phoenix Eye has acted well here in the past and might prove best of the rest, but Zorro De La Vega can put them to the sword.
Ouh Jay 50-1 (10-5) Led to 5th, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Amber Brook (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Morenito (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 48l behind Rash Moment (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 42l behind Toulouse Express (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Miller's Monarch 9-2 (11-12) Held up, effort 4 out, chased leading trio 3 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 7th, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, easily, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Jack's Lad (11-8) by 8l, 11 ran.
Phoenix Eye 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Zorro De La Vega (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 5th to 6th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, soon beaten, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Zorro De La Vega (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Battlefield 7-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, hit 9th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, challenged last, hung right and led flat, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb beating Colliers Court (10-5) by a nk, 13 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Held up, hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Ballyvaden (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) In rear, reminders after 4th, no chance from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Shelomoh (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
