took keen hold, chased leader until weakened on long run to 3 out
took keen hold, hed up behind leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 7th, struggling after, well behind 3 out, tailed off
held up behind leaders, went 4th on long run to 3 out, chased leading duo 3 out, ridden, one pace and no impression soon after
chased leaders, led after 7th not fluent 3 out, pushed over 3 lengths clear soon after, driven and reduced lead when mistake and headed 2 out, no chance with winner soon after
jumped well, raced on inside, made most until headed after 7th, stayed in contention, chased leader on long run to 3 out, rallied to lead 2 out, soon in command, stayed on strongly
held up tracking leaders, outpaced after 7th, soon struggling and lost touch, tailed off 3 out
held up behind leaders, outpaced 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off
Nonrunner
Alison Thorpe has her string in decent shape and we think that PEARL is worth another chance after being a beaten favourite last time, while Gentle Caribou and Conington are others with claims. The last-named probably ran better than her final placing suggests when tried at Kempton last time in a race at least as competitive as this. She acts with plenty of cut in the ground and this trip suits, so with a clear round she is not out of this. Gentle Caribou's sole win came on heavy ground in a Towcester bumper, and Nick Gifford's mare has shown that she stays this far when tried back at that stiff track. A 1lb drop since her last start won't do any harm, though she has to lug a big weight around here and we will take her on. Edgevine has fitness to prove after a nine-month absence, while she has never raced on heavy going before, while Lupita acts on ground as bad as this, though she has never won on anything slower than good. That brings us back to the selection, Pearl. Her sole National Hunt success came on heavy ground at Chepstow, and three of her four career wins have come in the winter. She stays this trip well enough for a race as moderate as today's and in the hope that the first time tongue strap will help we will give her the nod.
Gentle Caribou (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) Prominent, led and hit 7th, headed approaching last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Mrs Fawlty (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Conington 11-1 (11-11) Behind, steady headway approaching 4 out, ridden and no impression when hit 2 out, 6th of 17, 20l behind Lady Bling Bling (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Edgevine 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, driven 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, eased and tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Osokenda (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Marsh Court 16-1 (11-1) Jumped moderately and ran in snatches, behind from 11th, 7th of 8, 45l behind Mr Prickle (11-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Pomander (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Held up in rear in tight bunch, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Chamirey (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lupita (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led 6th to approaching 3 out, weakened into modest 4th last, 4th of 13, 23l behind Diamond Brook (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Elegant Olive 9-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Meet Me At Dawn (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Pearl (IRE) 7-2fav (10-4) Chased leaders, disputing well held 3rd when hit 2 out, went left last, weakened flat, 6th of 15, 20l behind Tara Taylor (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Brave Jewel (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Petroglyph (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
