held up in touch, raced keenly, hampered just after 3rd, not fluent 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat
led until ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, raced keenly, not fluent 5th, shaken up and effort approaching 3 out, no impression
prominent, raced keenly, weakened under pressure after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
prominent, not fluent 2 out, weakening in 5th when hit last
in rear, struggling approaching 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 6th, not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, saddled slipped after 2nd, pulled up after 3rd
held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, headway under pressure before 3 out, hung right after last, never pace to trouble leaders
Three Ships may be able to give weight away all round and record his third success of the season. Dangers include Santera and Thistle. The selection won twice in this grade before Christmas prior to being stepped up in class; he didn't fare too badly on either occasion but had his limitations exposed and this represents a better opportunity. Santera ran well enough in a Catterick seller last time on just her third start over hurdles to suggest that she can be a factor whilst Thistle makes some each-way appeal in this company on the pick of his form. Support for Turkish Sultan would be of interest given his trainer's record at the track and it could be that this better ground and drop in grade will do the trick. Ratings also give Orlyheart leading claims at the weights but he has yet to reproduce his French form in six starts here and remains best watched until showing a little more. Three Ships is solid and preferred.
Three Ships 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, chased leader 3 out, led after, headed 2 out, no extra, 5th of 16, 9l behind I'm A Legend (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Orlyheart (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake and reminder 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Farmer's Lad (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Desert Lover (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, beaten when edged left 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Bahamian Bay (8-11) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol (Flat).
Pre Eminance (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) pulled up at the 11th in race won by Kappillan (12-5) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gd in Apr '06, 10 ran.
Thistle 12-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 20l behind Jigsaw Dancer (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Tiffin Deano (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Manhattan Boy (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) sft, 6 ran.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 150-1 (11-5) Always behind, 15th of 17, well behind Numide (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Vienna Prince (USA) 50-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened 6th, behind when mistake next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Nick's Choice (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft, 16 ran.
L'Oiseau de Feu (USA) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 13th of 17, 39l behind If Only I Knew (9-13) at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
Lyrical Girl (USA) 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, 8th of 12, 33l behind Shaman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May '06.
Santera (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Kingsbury (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
