always behind
mid-division, headway out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden and kept on to lead narrowly after last, headed post
held up, some headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
behind, ridden 3 out, no impression when jumped left last
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, no extra from next
behind, mistake 5th, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed after last, rallied gamely to lead again post
always prominent, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until no extra flat
close up on outside, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, no impression
mid-division, hit 2nd, lost place next, behind from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, hung left and weakened next
led, headed and hit 4 out, weakened next
Soubriquet can spring a surprise at the principal expense of John Forbes and Little Bob. The selection had been thought of as a soft ground performer in the past but there have been plenty of encouraging signs on similar surfaces and a reproduction of a recent second to Pilca should see him go close. John Forbes ran a fair race behind John Dillon earlier in the week. If he can be relied upon to run up to that mark, he is another to hold solid claims. Little Bob scored under a tongue-tie at Doncaster last time out. He possesses ability although he is far from straight forward. Monsieur was held in high regard to Pat Haslam's but recent races have been little to write home about. Rare Coincidence should be fit from two recent runs on the level - the first of those being a typical steal. Crathorne won well at Hexham and Uttoxeter during last summer but might need some respite from the handicapper. Cripsey Brook has run a couple of credible races over hurdles despite the obvious vagaries of his age. Soubriquet will be a decent price given his unfashionable connections and we think that on today's surface, he holds better claims than many who will be ahead of him in the market.
Pevensey (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mon Michel (10-4) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Crathorne (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, in touch, weakened from 4 out, last of 6, well behind Prestbury Knight (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.
Culcabock (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Overserved (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Monsieur (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in touch, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened approaching next, 11th of 16, 23l behind Pilca (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Motive (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Deedeetee (10-6) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Rare Coincidence 12-1 (11-11) Led until headed 8th, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 10, 27l behind Patavium (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Cripsey Brook 9-2 (10-10) Close up, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Jamestown Bay (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Soubriquet (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd next, kept on, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Pilca (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Little Bob 25-1 (11-5) Always prominent, edged right and led before 2 out, clear when not fluent last, ridden and held on flat, won at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Fistral (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
John Forbes 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, reminders 4th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 13, nk behind John Dillon (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Guerilla (AUS) 12-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place 4th, ridden after 8th and no impression, 4th of 6, well behind Shares (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Tranos (USA) 28-1 (10-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway, in touch 4th, effort 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 16, 33l behind Pilca (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Start Royal (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Prominent to 5th, 10th of 18, well behind Mr Multifix (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
