mid-division, headway and effort 3 out, every chance when hit next, edged right and one pace flat
in touch, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden and headed flat, kept on
not fluent mid-division, lost place and pulled up before 6th
led to 4th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
mid-division, lost place and behind from 6th, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression
behind, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
held up, headway and in touch 3 out, effort next, ridden and kept on to lead flat
chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, with leaders, lost place when blundered 4 out, soon beaten
in touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden and weakened next
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
with leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, weakened 3 out
always behind
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Von Galen, Heez A Steel My Arch and Stravaigin and the tentative vote is given to Von Galen. The selection was a fair second behind Earth Planet last time out, that form has since been franked and off what remains a fair mark he looks the one to be on. Heez A Steel rates the main danger on his latest second behind Bene Lad when he was clear of the third. However he is creeping up the weights for getting beat and is taken on with this in mind. My Arch is another that could go well on his latest second behind Mill Side with the useful Harry Haynes taking off a handy seven pounds. Stravaigin was a fair second behind Wise Choice last time and could improve for the step up in trip so should be watched in the market. The Great Alfie hails from a yard that has a good record here so could go well at a price while Andytown looks vulnerable under top weight and Valentines Lady is another with place claims back on better ground but for the winner we are happy to return to Von Galen.
Andytown (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, well behind Beshabar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
My Arch 3-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, effort 4 out, outpaced next, kept on under pressure from last, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Mill Side (10-9) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Von Galen (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led after 3 out, headed before next, hung left approaching last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Earth Planet (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Mr Preacher Man 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, ridden to lead after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 15l behind Asian Royale (11-1) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Valentines Lady (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden next, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 11, 18l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Mid-division, headway to chase winner from 3 out, ridden approaching last and one pace flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Bene Lad (10-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
The Depot Bar (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up, outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd 2 out, no chance with first two, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Companero (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
The Great Alfie 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-13) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Quattrocento (FR) 9-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Special Day (10-6) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Timetwogo 7-1 (11-8) Prominent, reminder after 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 15, 33l behind Union Deux (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Stravaigin 9-1 (10-8) In touch, hit 2 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Wise Choice (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Paradise Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division best, moderate 12th before 6 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 3 out, 14th of 20, 30l behind Caman Swinger (10-9) at Galway 2m 4f hacp hdl gd in Sept.
Waterski 50-1 (10-11) Led to halfway, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 23l behind Blackpool Billy (11-2) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Mar.
Medic (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed after next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 12, 6l behind Charles Street (9-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Humourous (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, lost place after 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, well behind Rightful Ruler (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
