held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden when left in lead 3 out, all out and headed flat
held up, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ran on on far side to lead flat
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, led and blundered 3 out, soon headed and not recover
tracked leader until approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place 5th, ridden and headway on inside approaching 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace
led, hit 2nd, mistake 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
NORTONTHORPE LAD is more consistent than most of these and is fancied to hold the challenges of Nordwind and Good Spirit at bay when push comes to shove. Good Spirit has faced a few stiff tests of late, so is likely to appreciate this drop in grade. He hinted at a revival at Leicester just before Christmas and can get into the shake-up, at least, if he has thrived in the intervening period. Nordwind, like the selection, has been knocking at the door in recent times and can figure prominently in this company. However, the ground may have gone against him and he needs luck on his side if he is going to cope with a slog through the mud. Those conditions ought not to be a problem for Nortonthorpe Lad, however, and he is readily preferred this afternoon.
Share Option 6-1 (9-13) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 11th of 23, 18l behind Footy Facts (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Jan '08.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind White On Black (10-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Good Spirit (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon hung right, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Red Admiral (USA) 5-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside from 3 out, beaten when not fluent last, weakened flat, 8th of 13, 10l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, soon ridden and struggling, 9th of 11, 29l behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Fredo (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 13, 17l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and idled last, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Kingsdale Orion (10-12) by a hd, 12 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Took keen hold early, never reached beyond midfield, ridden 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Nordwind (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind Oldrik (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Archie Gunn 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th, 13th of 15, well behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Rory Boy (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 17l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Miami Moon (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 16th of 20, well behind Rebel Run (11-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Oct.
