in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, reminders 4th, behind when pulled up after 4 out
led until 6th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, weakened before 4 out, pulled up next
tracked leader, led 6th, driven clear 2nd last, easily
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
always towards rear
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner before 2nd last, weakened last
held up mid-division, hit 3rd, soon behind, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
in touch, weakened quickly 4 out, pulled up next
in touch, weakened after 4 out, pulled up next
held up in rear, headway before 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
The suggestion is Carrickmines ahead of the more obvious claims of Ouragan Lagrange and Sporting Rebel. The selection showed plenty of ability for Mags Mullins in Ireland and is better judged on what he achieved there than on his three starts over an inadequate 2 miles for new connections. This is more realistic and he has to be of interest in a trappy contest. Wantage Road has always been held in high regard but has yet to deliver; he may well do so one day but is likely to be priced accordingly. Ouragan Lagrange found the drop to 2 miles against him last time but could resume his progression now back up in trip. Sporting Rebel improved to win a chase last time and would have to be feared if that progress can be translated back to the smaller obstacles. Marshalls Run has form claims but this trip is on the short side for him. Captain's Legacy, The Boat and Brave Broncho are just three of the unexposed horses of interest that litter this field and a market check is essential but it may be worth taking a chance with Carrickmines.
Wantage Road (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (11-2) Prominent, led 6th until after 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Pigeon Island (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Marshalls Run (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, hung left between last 2, one pace, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Captain's Legacy 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 7th, lost place next, soon well behind, 7th of 12, well behind Georges Boy (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Carrickmines (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 15, 40l behind Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Campaign Charlie 10-1 (11-0) In touch, led 9th, mistake 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, 5th of 13, 9l behind Nobody Tells Me (10-13) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr '06.
Jaunty Flight 11-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and hung left when weakening 3 out, 5th of 16, 18l behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 4th of 12, 36l behind Hidden Weapon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Millitant Man 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden 5th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 18l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Always prominent, led 5 out, drew clear from 3 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy beating Ask The Umpire (10-1) by 24l, 15 ran.
Brave Broncho (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up last, hampered 2nd, ridden 8th, weakened next and fell 4 out in race won by Adecco (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Nov, 8 ran.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden 7th and weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Busy Henry (11-6) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft, 17 ran.
Impact Zone 16-1 (10-7) Prominent until weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 44l behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Quick Judgement (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, 15th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Act Gold (GER) 11-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders under pressure 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 14, 27l behind Ballyboley (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
The Boat (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 34l behind Group Captain (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Judy The Drinker 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place before 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Naxox (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Oh Crick (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Jollie Abilola 125-1 (10-5) Always behind, mistakes 2nd and 4th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
