led, pushed clear 2 out, fading when fell last
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 4th
in touch, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, ridden 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, held when left 3rd last
keen, steady headway approaching 9th, chased winner 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened 2 out
held up, effort 4 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, weakened after 8th, mistake next and pulled up
mid-division, headway 4 out, mistake when ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, staying on from 2 out, 5 lengths down approaching 2 out, close up 2 out and left in lead last
Dynamic Rhythm and Wheres Johnny are closely matched on official ratings however Royal Arms is well-related and Evan Williams' returning six-year-old gets the nod. The selection has only seen the racecourse once when beaten into fourth place in a bumper. He is bred to do well over obstacles and with this longer trip not expected to cause any problems, he can make a winning debut over timber. Wheres Johnny ran with credit behind Bertie May at Exeter, putting in his best effort to date, whilst Dynamic Rhythm would have a chance on the pick of his runs but has had more than enough chances. Fix The Rib has shown a certain level of ability in three starts to date, and needs watching in the betting, whereas Derry City let down favourite backers when last seen and may be more of a handicapping prospect. An open start, with Royal Arms taken to oblige.
Canalturn (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, driven 5th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mealagh Valley (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Derry City (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 4f out, kept on same pace from over 2f out, 5th of 14, 8l behind Divali Princess (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 100-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 40l behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Keen in rear, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace and past beaten horses from 2 out, 6th of 11, 19l behind Isn't That Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Fortification (USA) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 8th and ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 24, well behind Sigma Digital (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Mustamad 100-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 6th, close up when hampered 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 14, 27l behind Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Royal Arms 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 13, 33l behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec '06.
Wheres Johnny 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, dropped rear 4th, soon ridden, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on, 4th of 14, 7l behind Bertie May (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
