headway to lead 3rd, headed 12th, 4th and weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
mistake 1st, behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression flat
mid-division, ridden 4 out, headway next, led between last 2, stayed on well flat
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, went 2nd flat, no impression
left in lead 1st, headed 3rd, tracked leaders until blundered and lost place 10th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace flat
chased leaders to 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
always behind
mid-division, headway 11th, every chance 2 out, ridden and no extra flat
led until blundered and unseated rider 1st
It is difficult to know how ready Stallone will be for this after such a long absence from the jumping game, although he should be fit enough from the flat, and preference is for Swallow Magic, who gets the vote ahead of Now Then Sid. The last mentioned is now 9lbs higher than when scoring over course and distance last month and may be best watched now. York Rite has not won for some time and could probably do with some more help from the handicapper, while Red Flyer has been gradually slipping down the weights but has given little sign of encouragement. Jupiter Jo ran better at Cartmel last time and has to be considered along with Irish raider Partners Choice but Swallow Magic has an obvious chance on the form of his comfortable course and distance defeat of York Rite earlier this month and it is interesting that he is turned out so quickly after having disappointed at Market Rasen on a softer surface last time.
Swallow Magic (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) In rear, blundered 11th, soon struggling, 7th of 11, 21l behind Erins Lass (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd.
Red Flyer (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Held up behind, smooth headway on inner approaching 6th, 3rd and ridden approaching 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Pebble Bay (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Jan.
Now Then Sid 5-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, left 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, switched inside approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Swallow Magic (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Stallone 4-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Raise Your Glass (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Oct '03, 10 ran.
York Rite (AUS) 5-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 9th, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 49l behind Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Jupiter Jo 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort approaching, ridden to go 2nd after last, no with chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Parisienne Gale (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd.
Partners Choice (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division best, never a factor, 9th of 16, 21l behind Mullaghea Boy (11-11) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 gf.
Pristeen Spy 7-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader, hit 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by High Peak (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf, 15 ran.
