pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leader approaching 6th, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon every chance, stayed on same pace after last
slow 1st, raced in rear, mistakes throughout, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, lost place before 6th, soon behind, moderate 4th
EMPEROR CHARLIE is a typical Ferdy Murphy long-term project but has shown more than enough to merit the vote in this ordinary contest. His fourth at Kelso in November, beaten little over a length by Torta Nel Cielo, looks the best form on offer and he was far from disgraced in handicap company at Wetherby on his penultimate outing. He stays further than this but hopefully this tough track will maximise his stamina. Check out the market for clues as to expectations surrounding pointer Cricket Bat for the in-form Ellison yard, while Quelle Chance displayed his first sparkle here last time and can be expected to progress once again.
Cricket Bat (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) in a race won by Oojar (12-0) at Whittington 3m ptp gs, 16 ran.
Emperor Charlie 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, hit 5th, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 30l behind Cloudy Spirit (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Mannered 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear on outer and raced keen, weakened from 4 out, behind when fell 3 out, in a race won by Railway Dillon (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
No Way Hozay 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st and lost place, soon prominent until not fluent and lost place next, hit 3rd, never dangerous, 8th of 10, well behind Jammia (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Quelle Chance (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped right 2nd, headway from 3 out, went 4th after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 26l behind Mister Wall Street (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
The Bravetraveller (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leading duo, led 2nd until after 5th, chased leader until after 5 out, soon outpaced, last of 3, well behind Riptide (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f beg chase (4) gf.
Grey Assassin 200-1 (10-4) Held up and behind, hampered 3rd, not fluent 6th, behind 3 out, well behind 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Mister Wall Street (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Highland Cathedral 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 12, well behind Eyre Square (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Willowthewizard 200-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off, in a race won by Storm Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
