tracked leaders, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division but in touch, headway 3 out, chased winner before last, soon outpaced
soon led, headed 4 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, never a threat
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway 5 out, led next, headed soon after 3 out, led again approaching last, ran on strongly
tracked leader, lost place 4th, rallied 5 out, led again just after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra closing stages
It could pay to stick with CARALINE in this. She has returned a wide-margin winner the last twice now although she does have a hike in the weights to overcome. Rupert Bear was a long way behind the selection at Newcastle last month but re-opposes on much better terms and Retrieve The Stick arrives in good form having won at Sedgefield recently. Trust Thomas and Castlelawn are both capable of figuring off their current marks having slid down the weights but Endeavor would prefer a faster surface.
Amethyst Rose (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, behind from 9th, pulled up 4 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Trust Thomas 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left 3rd 9th to before 3 out, regained 3rd next, ridden to chase winner after last, held flat, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Bernardelli (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Castlelawn (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led until not fluent and headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden before last, hung right and no impression when lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 12, 4 3/4l behind Blades Lad (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Always behind, 7th of 8, dist behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Vinny Gambini (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch from 3rd, outpaced after 14th, weakening when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Greenlaw (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Retrieve The Stick 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6 out, led before last, held on well towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Tomorrow's Legend (11-8) by 2l, 11 ran.
Endeavor 15-2 (10-8) In touch, headway before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Caraline (FR) 4-9fav (10-7) In rear and tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Gunner Lindley (11-12) by 14l, 3 ran.
Rupert Bear 9-2 (11-1) Led until 4th, chased leader until led again after 6th until 8th, chased leaders, mistake 10th, driven and struggling after 4 out, soon outpaced and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Oscar Lateen (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
