led to 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, no impression from next
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed before last, kept on under pressure flat, held near finish
tracked leader 2nd, led before 4 out, not fluent and headed next, soon ridden, led again when hit last, held on under pressure flat
with leader, led 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened next, 13 lengths down in 5th when fell 2 out
held up, headway to join leaders after 6th, driven out, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
Howard Johnson's lightly raced pair Alloveragain and Saturn Island make limited appeal from what we have seen of them so far and, in a relatively uncompetitive looking contest, it is ERNST BLOFELD that gets a confident vote. The selection showed promise on his only start in a bumper in November before making a winning start to his career over hurdles when successful in good fashion on his debut at Haydock the following month. Don McCain's gelding lost no caste in defeat in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham subsequently and a reproduction of earlier form over timber should suffice for the five-year-old. Twelve Paces seemingly lost his way when with David Pipe but has shown no real sign of encouragement for the switch to Peter Monteith's yard and a better bet for the forecast may be Political Paddy, who should appreciate the return to novice-company having been well held in handicaps of late. This should not take much winning and Ernst Blofeld has an obvious chance of landing the prize.
Twelve Paces 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, 13th of 14, well behind Lie Forrit (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leading pair, hit 7th, joined leader 3 out, ridden to lead briefly after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Political Paddy 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, well behind Minella Boys (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Alloveragain (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, struggling from 8th, 6th of 13, well behind Mr Preacher Man (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct '07.
Saturn Island (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-2) Led after 2f, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 16l behind Lie Forrit (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
