tracked leader, effort before 2 out, soon lost place, ridden before last, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, driven to lead before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on flat, hard pressed closing stages, headed final stride
held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon driven to chase leaders, ridden and ran on strongly flat, challenged closing stages, led final stride
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, outpaced when mistake next, weakened last
mid-division on outer, lost place 6th, behind 3 out, headway under pressure after next, ridden and ran on into 4th flat, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off
led, driven and headed before 2 out where not fluent, soon lost place, no impression after
mid-division, driven and headway before 2 out, soon chased leader and ridden, every chance when mistake last, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
raced keenly, held up mid-division, driven and one pace between last 2, ridden and weakened flat
towards rear, wide into straight, headway before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, not reach leaders
Plenty of these arrive in good form including Louis' Vac Pouch, who landed the odds in a maiden here last month and makes his handicap debut. SHARP RESPONSE, a winner on good going at Wetherby, won a novices' contest at Sedgefield before a fine effort in a better race than this at Newcastle and, though up another 3lb, looks the one to beat. Kauto Riko won here on Boxing Day and followed up at Catterick and though disappointing at Sedgefield will be much better suited by the likely faster pace so should give a good account. Course specialist Oh Land Abloom has been going well at this level though keeps climbing the ratings without winning but Atomix looks ready to win soon after a very good run here last weekend.
Zarib (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 2 out, 5th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in 4th place, hit 7th, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden between last two, went 2nd approaching last, driven and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Parish Business (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Louis' Vac Pouch (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, closed when reached at 4th, 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Mar beating All Is Good (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Baratineur (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra in 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Valhalla (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Card Game (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, kept on, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind The Character (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
A Boy Named Suzi 11-1 (10-11) Chased winner until pushed along on long run before 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 10th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Sharp Response (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-1) Led, headed 2 out, ridden before last, left 2nd last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Dubai Angel (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Kauto Riko (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Tomkevi (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Atomix (GER) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, 2nd after 5th, led 7th, mistake last, headed and switched left flat, kept on but held by winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sigurd (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Towards rear, headway before 3 out led before last, soon pressed, headed last 50 yards, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Modulus (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
