in touch, ridden from 4 out, led briefly 2 out, every chance last, not quicken
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 8th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
always prominent, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, mistake and one pace 2 out
mid-division to rear, ridden from 8th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in rear when brought down 2nd
led, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up rear, steady headway from 7th, always going well, led briefly 3 out, led on bit last, quickened clear
held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place 6th, behind when fell 8th
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
towards rear, badly hampered 2nd, never a danger
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
Dancing Rock outstayed Love That Benny when opening his account over hurdles at Wetherby last month and has to be respected, along with other previous hurdling winners Delaware Bay and Ironman Muldoon but the vote goes to Victom's Chance, who looks to be potentially useful. The selection showed promise in bumpers and has quickly fulfilled his potential once being stepped up in trip over hurdles, with the promise of more to come now that he tackles three miles for the first time. Noel Chance's gelding is related to the stable's Murphy's Cardinal and is taken to progress along similar lines. Henrietta Knight's Cruising River showed promise on his hurdling debut here last month and is entitled to improve on that effort but needs to if he is to trouble the selection. Of more interest may be Exeter winner Double Header, who may do better now that he tackles a longer distance, while Mark Pitman's Ironman Muldoon has been off the track since making a winning debut at Cheptow in October and could be anything. Delaware Bay is consistent and holds place claims although Andy Thornton prefers Bowleaze, while Bowleaze represents the stable of Nicky Henderson and cannot be ruled out entirely. Victom's Chance has an obvious opportunity to complete a hat-trick though and is taken to do so.
Dancing Rock 6-4fav Chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden clear last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Mar beating Love That Benny by 10l, 13 ran.
Delaware Bay 9-1 Led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on and every chance when hampered last, not recover, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Laudamus at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
Double Header (IRE) 66-1 Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, led 6th to approaching next, led again and mistake 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on well flat, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Halcon Genelardais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Ironman Muldoon (IRE) 10-1 Held up, headway 7th, slightly outpaced 3 out, rallied last, ran on to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Oct beating Kilgowan by a nk, 15 ran.
Victom's Chance (IRE) 2-5fav Soon tracking leaders, led 6th, clear from 2 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd nov hdl (E) sft in Mar beating County Classic by 6l, 8 ran.
Dusit Down (IRE) 6-4fav Chased leaders over 9f, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Bar Gayne at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Jan.
Gaora Gale (IRE) 2nd of 9, nk behind Micky Cole at Dungarvan 3m pt-to-pt hvy in Jan.
The Bosun 100-1 Held up in 5th, outpaced 9th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd run-in, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Celtic Son at Kempton 3m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Simple Glory (IRE) 12-1 Held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar beating Midnight Gold by 2l, 12 ran.
Elle Roseador 50-1 Mid-division until 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Gold Ring at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
