mid-division on inside, headway between last 2, led last, soon ridden clear
held up, effort between last 2, no extra approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from last, no impression
mid-division, weakened 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leader to 3 out, weakened next
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led after next, headed last, ridden and no extra flat
always behind
in rear, struggling 3rd, never dangerous
chased leaders to 3rd, soon behind, weakened 2 out
held up, weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
raced keenly, led and clear to 2nd, headed after 2 out, weakened before last
BRIERY STAR is selected in the hope that he attracts market support with alternatives being Upright Ima and Ceilidh Lass. Upright Ima's last two wins both came over course and distance and there has to be some doubt as to whether this fully exposed mare is up to defying a 13lb rise in the weights for her victory in a weak seller but she is a likeable performer. Ceilidh Lass didn't show a great deal in her first five starts but there were sufficient positives to be taken from her staying on fifth at Sedgefield to believe that she can be a factor in this company. One Black Cat is another with possibilities but Briery Star has done enough in qualifying for a mark to think that she can be a player on her handicap bow. She raced with the choke out at this venue last time so the drop back in trip looks sensible, the yard has a respectable record at this track and has been in great form under both codes so everything looks to be in place for a big run from Briery Star.
Upright Ima 4-1fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating Hippodrome (11-5) by 13l, 12 ran.
Crow Spinney 28-1 (11-0) In touch, led 6th, headed 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, soon weakened, 12th of 18, well behind Cassius (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Briery Star 15-2 (10-8) Led and keen, headed after 3 out, driven and no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Danny Zuko (10-10) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
One Black Cat 8-1 (10-10) Held up, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, beaten when fell heavily last, in a race won by Well Disguised (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Claresburn 100-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders until weakened 4 out, soon beaten, 10th of 16, well behind Classic Cut (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Miss Tarantella 25-1 (10-12) Led to 6th, chased winner until lost place after 3 out, kept on same paced from next, 3rd of 11, 24l behind Presque Perdre (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Freedom Flying 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden 4 out, weakened from next, 12th of 16, well behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Crystal Runner 80-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden after 2 out, outpaced when disputing 4th when fell last, in a race won by Fortysecond Street (11-6) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
Ceilidh Lass (FR) 40-1 (10-6) Held up, outpaced halfway, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 14, 12l behind Gamma Velorum (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Janal (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind What Happened (9-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Globe Trekker (USA) 100-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Peaceful Means (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (4yo+) (4) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Princess of Aeneas (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 14, well behind Rosie's Glory (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in May.
Wensleydale Web 5-1 (10-4) Led, headed 3f out, weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Sheriff Hutton (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Mystic Glen 18-1 (10-0) Always behind, 7th of 10, 39l behind Watch My Back (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
