tracked leader, weakened from 4 out
led, mistake last, ridden run-in, headed last 50 yards, kept on
in rear, mistake 3rd and 4th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 6 out
tracked leaders in 4th, lost place before 6 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead last 50 yards
Zarib has probably promised more than he’s delivered so far but he ran well for a long way behind Whisper at Cheltenham earlier this month and will be a threat to all if blinkers have the desired effect. MASTER DEE has been going from strength-to-strength in handicaps, however, and you would not rule out a third win in four starts if he jumped as well as he did last time at Ascot. Father Edward has ability but is hard to predict and probably needs further but After Eight Sivola has become disappointing and Next Exit is well out of his depth.
Father Edward (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, in mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 6th, ridden and struggling 9th, mistake and well beaten 4 out, soon pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Master Dee (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Made all, jumped well, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating San Benedeto (11-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
After Eight Sivola (FR) 33-1 (10-3) In rear, tailed off from 7 out, soon pulled up, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Next Exit (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leader until after 8th, left 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Unify (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) fm in Dec.
Zarib (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, 2nd 9th until 3 out, 4th and no extra before last, 4th of 6, 22 1/2l behind Whisper (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec.
