held up behind, ridden between last 2, never on terms
in touch, driven and outpaced after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
mid-division, outpaced between last 2, weakened last
led, headed 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and rallied to chase winner last, until weakened flat
tracked leaders, steady headway 2 out, led going well before last, shaken up and drew clear flat
behind, headway 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and rallied to go 2nd flat, no impression
blundered 1st, chased leaders, until lost place quickly, pulled up after 5th
mid-division, driven to chase leaders between last 2, weakened before last
tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, weakened flat
always behind
The most competitive race of the day is saved until last and seems to be primarily between the top three weights with STONERIGGS MERC getting the selection ahead of Quay Meadow and Zaffie Parson. Judging on chase form the pick could be well in here racing off a rating 10lbs lower than he last carried to victory over fences. He is probably a better chaser than hurdler but he has a decent strike rate for a horse at this level and has been running well in defeat over the bigger stuff recently. Quay Meadow beat Zaffie Pason on his penultimate start over about this trip at Wetherby. He then took on a trip beyond his scope and off a high-looking mark and given the three-pound reprieve for that midfield finish he has a t least a chance of confirming the form over his re-opposing rival. Sharp Belline has been tumbling down the weights while chasing recently and connections will be hoping a switch back to hurdles will return him to some really solid old form. That would have to be taken on a little bit of faith so we prefer the chances of Stoneriggs Merc.
Zaffie Parson (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Behind, struggling from halfway, 6th of 18, 41l behind Delightfully (11-11) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Quay Meadow (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Minella Boys (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 41l behind Johnny Roche (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led to 7th, led approaching 9th, headed 10th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 16, 42l behind Ballyvaden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Kings Guard (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Scolboa Music Man (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Finbin (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 6th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 38l behind Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Amjad 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling, 11th of 16, well behind Albany (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Sportula 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, 40l behind Mister Chatterbox (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Rexmehead (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Towards rear, hampered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Luccombe Bay (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 150-1 (10-4) Help up towards rear, lost place approaching 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Newgate Suds 11-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened approaching 9th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) hvy in Apr, 14 ran.
