chased clear leader, led 3 out, soon headed and weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, one pace and no impression approaching last
raced wide, in touch, challenged 3 out, stayed on to lead last, driven out flat
mid-division, lost place after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 4 out, led after next, headed last, no extra
in touch, ridden and effort after 3 out, one pace from next
in touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression approaching next
always behind, no chance when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
always behind, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
led and clear until after 4 out, headed next, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression next
Nonrunner
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be If Only I Knew, Barton Sun and Tetragon and the narrow vote is given to If Only I Knew. The selection won well last time out when beating Hall Of Fame, this slightly longer trip should hold no fears and despite his penalty under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Tetragon rates the main danger as his best runs are when he is fresh, his stable are in form and he should be watched in the market. Barton Sun won well on his first start of the season but has ran as if in the handicappers grip on his last two starts and is taken on with this in mind. Red Jester was a fair second behind Alpha Gamble last time out but this looks more competitive and as consistency is not his strong point he is taken on. Of the others Habanus Livius looks vulnerable under top weight and for the winner we return to If Only I Knew who again has plenty going for him.
Habanus Livius (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Always behind, 7th of 12, 42l behind Hue (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
If Only I Knew (IRE) 11-4fav (9-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led last, pushed out, won at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan beating Hall of Fame (10-11) by 5l, 17 ran.
Sheikhman (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Not fluent 2nd, held up and behind, no chance after 5th, 10th of 13, 42l behind Ouzbeck (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
Modarab 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind The Weaver (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Hollows Mist 12-1 (9-13) Held up, outpaced when fell at the 6th in race won by Northern Quest (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Chigorin 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Andorran (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Tetragon (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, weakened 4 out, 5th and struggling 3 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Young Owen (11-7) at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Barton Sun (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 14l behind Primus Inter Pares (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Coverdale Lady 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by James Bay (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Strong Approach (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, soon led, headed 4th, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Monash Lad (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Naval Attache 33-1 (11-6) Led, clear when hit 4th, headed and hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Sun King (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Red Jester 22-1 (9-9) Always prominent, led after 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Alpha Gamble (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs in Jan.
Vehari 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, pushed along 4th, soon struggling, 9th of 14, 44l behind Mr Wiseguy (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jul.
