held up towards rear, moderate headway approaching 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up, good headway approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon one pace
never better than mid-division
behind, ridden after 5th, pulled up soon after 3 out
behind, some late headway, never nearer
in touch, chased leader 3 out, led next, ran on
held up in touch, weakened 7th
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon one pace
held up, never on terms
Nonrunner
Don't Ask Me is nominated to beat a large field including the likes of He's A Rascal, Pure Magic, Colophony and Boing Boing to name but a few. This looks just the sort of race that Martin Pipe likes to target as at first glance it appears hard to solve due to the size of the field, but his runner Don't Ask Me could easily be a blot on the handicap. The five-year-old beat the useful Nippy Des Mottes at Exeter in October off a mark of 85, and as the latter was rated 106 at the time and lined up off 132 at Musselburgh recently, one has to assume that Don't Ask Me is very kindly treated on his current mark of 91. That puts him potentially two-stone well in, and although he failed to deliver twice subsequently in November, the team is in better form now, and any support should be heeded. He's A Rascal has been pretty consistent, while Pure Magic improved markedly to score at Wincanton last time but has more to do now. Colophony finished third here on Boxing Day, and if straight enough after his mini-break, may reach the frame, while Boing Boing was fourth here more recently and is also worth a small mention at least. The market is the best guide to the rest, but we shall stay loyal to Don't Ask Me.
Full On 10-1 (11-9) Chasing leader when took wrong course bend after 5th, disqualified ran out at the 6th in race won by Yes My Lord (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 13 ran.
Pearly Star 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened before next, 6th of 12, 26l behind She's Our Native (12-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway to lead 3 out, soon clear, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 8l behind Meadow Hawk (9-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
Sarobar (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 14, 20l behind Baron Blitzkrieg (10-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
He's A Rascal (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Behind, mistake 3 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Herecomestanley (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hdl (5) sft in Jan.
El Corredor (IRE) 17-2 (9-12) Held up mid-division, ridden, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last but not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Boing Boing (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 15l behind Coralbrook (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Pure Magic (FR) 50-1 (10-1) Always prominent, ridden 3 out, led soon after, clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft beating Mistified (11-0) by 9l, 19 ran.
