tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, one pace from 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden when went left and hit last, all out
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, went right last, no extra
in touch until weakened 3 out, tailed off
led 3rd until 7th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, every chance soon after last, just held
reminders after 4th, always in rear, tailed off 7th
led until 3rd, prominent, ridden when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, went left 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
in touch until lost pace 6th, headway 3 out, soon ridden to chase winner, weakened before last
It may be worth siding with MAKIN A FUSS on his handicap bow although Colonial Jim and Master Cobbler bring more solid claims to the table. Makin A Fuss has plenty to prove as he steps up in trip but he represents a yard that does well with the resources at their disposal and showed enough at Wincanton to warrant selection from his initial mark. Colonial Jim was well backed only to unseat on his chase bow at Fontwell; he took a big hit for back to back successes in November but doesn't have many miles on the clock and could have more in the locker. Pearl will benefit from Rhys Flint's claim, Call Me Sir would have claims if able to reproduce the form of his Exeter third in October, Southfield Hall has shown little but is bred to appreciate this big step up in trip and may fare better now handicapping. Master Cobbler is more exposed but comes into the race on the back of a decent run and should give a good account but we're prepared to take a chance with Makin A Fuss.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, left 2nd 5th, led approaching next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon switched left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Prince Zafonic (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Call Me Sir (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Held up behind, headway when hit 2 out, shaken up, stayed on well run-in, went 3rd final strides, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Cresswell Ruby (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Well Green (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up, led 7th, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Cruise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Sweet Optomist 10-1 (10-4) Held up behind, ridden and headway after 5th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Master d'Or (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, hit 1st, dropped to 5th and struggling when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Fix The Rib (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Pearl (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along after 6th, not fluent and behind from 7th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Gouranga (10-6) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Makin A Fuss 66-1 (10-11) Prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 16l behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Southfield Hall (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind James De Vassy (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
That's An Honour (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In rear, reminded after 4th, never in contention, mistake last, 10th of 17, 23l behind Wardington Lad (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Speedy Directa (GER) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, pulled hard, not fluent 5th, challenged from 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 17, 9l behind Wardington Lad (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Imperial Harry 6-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 4th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 46l behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '08.