ran in snatches, behind, headway 4th, lost place 9th, headway after 11th, outpaced 4 out, good headway to lead 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, disputed from 3rd, mistake 9th, headed 12th, weakening when jumped right 2 out, pulled up before last
in touch until weakened after 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, disputed from 2nd until 7th, chased leader, mistake 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear, held off from 11th
held up rear, headway approaching 10th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led 12th, ridden after 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up, blundered 6th, ridden after 9th, outpaced 12th, stayed on from 3 out
An awful opener here, with Uncle Teddy taken to make a winning return to action from recent winner Alakdar and Irish Sea. The Emma Lavelle trained Uncle Teddy has not been seen since finishing down the field at Hereford last September, but prior to that had put in a couple of decent efforts with a win at that course and when second at Worcester, both on fast ground. Presumably, whatever problems the 10-year-old had have cleared up now and his trainer, who can get them ready to win when fresh, has a good opportunity of another such winner here at these weights. Alakdar has 3lb to find on official ratings and is clearly in good heart, having enjoyed a 27 length success from Maidstone Monument at Worcester last time. However, a 20lb rise for that win will surely find him out, despite the fact that that has given him some sort of chance on the book. The nine-year-old has plenty of miles on the clock and does not win often, so he is just passed over today. Of the remainder, Irish Sea is not in the best of form at present, but has a penchant for decent ground and could be the one to complete the frame, though we will side with seasonal debutante Uncle Teddy.
