held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression next, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from next
held up, chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd 2 out, kept on but never troubled leaders
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
held up, lost place 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
mid-division, headway to track winner 2 out, ridden and effort when hung left from 2 out, held flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
chased winner to 4 out, ridden next, under pressure and disputing 3rd when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
made all, driven 3 out, ridden next, stayed on gamely flat
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
Some good prize money and not a bad little race this, with the vote going to Torkinking ahead of Dont Call Me Derek and Nowell House. Including Flat runs, Dont Call Me Derek has now won his last five races, and is unbeaten in two hurdle races. A mark of 117 may have understated his ability, and he looks set to run well. However, Torkinking will be no pushover. He had to dig deep over course and distance last time to take his winning run to three, and, given that a seven-pound rise is probably about right, he should be on the premises again. With her rider's claim taken into account, Baby Gee is now back to near a winning mark, although we prefer others. Crazy Horse is, of course, well handicapped on form of four years ago, but his more-recent efforts leave him something to find, although his October third to Petrula at Wetherby was not a bad effort. Alam has been chasing of late but is a winning hurdler, although he is now 14 pounds above that mark. Nowell House is now back to the mark from which he won at Wetherby last March, and warrants serious consideration, while Crystal Gift is also back to a winning rating, although that success was achieved in 2002. Eastern Tribute is another that is now back to a winning mark, and has won here over fences, and, finally - and you've guessed it - Eastern Tribute is also back to a winning mark of two years ago, and can be given a chance if performing to that level. Overall, though, we will side with Torkinking.
Crazy Horse (IRE) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, quickly weakened 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Olney Lad at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Alam (USA) 4-1 Chased leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 5th of 8, 14l behind Stormy Lord at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (B) sft.
Nowell House 9-1 Held up, headway after 4 out, badly hampered 3 out, no impression after, 4th of 15, 11l behind Totally Scottish at Doncaster 2m 3f clm hdl (F) gd.
Crystal Gift 6-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2 out, no impression approaching last, 4th of 7, 8l behind Westmeath Flyer at Carlisle 2m 4f cnd clm hdl (F) gs.
Eastern Tribute (USA) 14-1 Always behind, struggling from 8th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by The Laird's Entry at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd, 8 ran.
Dont Call Me Derek 4-9fav Tracked leader, led 4th, clear after 3 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Feb beating Blue Rising by 5l, 13 ran.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 4-1 Held up, reminders after 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 5th of 8, 25l behind Rob Leach at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
Merryvale Man 8-1 In touch, weakened approaching 7th, 8th of 11, 48l behind Broken Knights at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Torkinking (IRE) 9-4fav Led, ridden 2 out, headed when jumped right last, rallied to lead towards finish, won at Haydock 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb beating Scarlet Mix by a nk, 10 ran.
Baby Gee 14-1 Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Dancing Pearl at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
