in touch, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division on inside, pushed along before 7th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 7th, headway under pressure after 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led after 4 out, 5 lengths clear when hit last, ridden and stayed on well flat
led to after 1st, tracked leader, led again 4th, headed after 4 out, chased winner until lost 2nd last, weakened flat
raced keenly, led after 1st, headed 4th, with leader, lost place before 7th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced when blundered 7th, lost place before 4 out, weakened after next
behind, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, soon ridden and kept on, never nearer
behind, pushed along from 6th, never dangerous
in rear, struggling 7th, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
in touch, chased leading pair before 4 out, ridden 2 out, went 5 lengths 2nd last, stayed on under pressure flat, not reach winner
STRIKEMASTER may be able to make the most of the allowances afforded to him and prevail from Zaffarella and Humbie. The selection receives 9lbs from his elders which may swing matters in his favour having been held in his own age group at Musselburgh last time in a race that reads well enough in the context of this race. That was his first run over obstacles since September so he may have benefited from the outing whilst the longer trip seems certain to benefit given that he won over two miles on the level. Humbie is a little more difficult to get a handle on having had just the two outings but he's shown enough to think that he's well enough treated on a mark of 106 having finished 24 lengths adrift of the useful Wymott last time; the market could prove useful. Zaffarella is 20lbs higher than when achieving the first of her two recent successes but she's versatile with regard to underfoot conditions and in fine form so merits respect. Young Buddy's Carlisle third received a boost when the winner won on Saturday whilst Sirkeel is yet another to note but a chance is taken with Strikemaster.
Zaffarella (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led until approaching 2nd, handy, led again before 3 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan beating Pearl (11-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, headway to challenge 2 out, led last and driven out flat, won at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep '07 beating Bali Bay (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sirkeel (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure next, stayed on to chase leading pair flat, no impression, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Turtle Spirit (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Tyrone House (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway, effort 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 45l behind Beamazed (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Humbie (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 4 out, chasing leaders in 3rd from next, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 24l behind Wymott (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
King Mak 7-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 15, 42l behind Guydus (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Hazeldene 11-1 (11-0) Led after 1st, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 25l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Final Veto 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, chased leader 2nd, led after 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, beaten when mistake last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Pearl (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Dundock 20-1 (10-10) Held up, towards rear, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Tarabaloo (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Strikemaster (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear, pushed along 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 16l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Its Tough (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 47l behind Turtle Spirit (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Young Buddy 5-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, no extra when lost 2nd place last 50 yards, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Mister Marker (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
