led to 4th, chased leaders until outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway 5 out, ridden 3 out, led next, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway 8th, weakened 4 out
held up and behind, smooth headway 8th, every chance 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat
mid-division, lost place 5 out, soon behind
Our shortlist here consists of Polished, Bob's Buster and Lauderdale, with the vote going to Bob's Buster. Firstly, City Gent is generally consistent but it is a long time since he won, while Gaucho has yet to win a race. Compadre has been placed from slightly higher marks than today and, relatively lightly raced, might have better to come, while Mexican's third at Catterick from today's mark last time gives him place claims, although recent form on soft going is not that good. Polished, however, will like the going and is now back to just a pound above a winning mark, so he has to be considered. Bob's Buster has a very similar profile so gets the same comment, while it does not seem as though Powder Creek is necessarily well-weighted and his best recent for has been over longer trips. Finally, Lauderdale is now six pounds higher than when winning over course and distance on similar going two runs ago and, having run respectably last time from his revised mark, warrants consideration. All things considered then , we will stick with Bob's Buster.
Lauderdale 9-2 Chased winner to 10th, outpaced from 6 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind The Laird's Entry at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Powder Creek (IRE) 9-2 Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden and chance 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 7l behind Brave Lord at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs.
Bob's Buster 15-2 Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, hit 5 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Silk Trader at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Dec.
Polished 10-1 Held up, ridden and headway 9th, 5 lengths down in 3rd and ridden when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 35l behind The Laird's Entry at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Mexican (USA) 12-1 Held up, headway 8th, joined leader going well 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Mighty Fine at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs.
Compadre 9-4 Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Cool Chilli at Catterick 2m mdn chs (D) gd.
Gaucho 14-1 Led to 2nd, led again after 4th, headed 6th, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Cool Chilli at Catterick 2m mdn chs (D) gd.
City Gent 12-1 Took keen hold, held up in touch, chased winner 4 out, ridden approaching next, lost 2nd when weakening run-in, 4th of 12, 13l behind Lanmire Tower at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
