slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, driven out
prominent, went 2nd well over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
outpaced, pushed along on outside over 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden on outside 3f out, went 3rd entering final 1f, no impression on front pair
in touch, switched right to outside halfway, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
chased leader, until well over 2f out, weakened over 2f out
reared leaving stalls, slowly away and always behind
prominent to halfway
A poor contest and not one to get heavily involved in, but course and distance scorer TAG TEAM may be good enough to end a lengthy barren spell, while Ronnie Howe and Hart Of Gold could get involved. The selection has not won since New Year's Day 2008, when he did so here from a stone higher than today's mark. Even so, he usually puts up a decent effort at this track, is best over this trip, and he caught a tartar last time in Angle Of Attack, who will already have run in the opener today. He looks the percentage call. Ronnie Howe has never won beyond the minimum trip, and only twice at that in a 39-race career. Even so, he has put up some reasonable performances in defeat here and if able to reproduce his running from this time last year then he'd have claims. Hart Of Gold is now 10lbs below his last winning mark and goes well over this trip. Of some concern is that Ron Harris has never tried the gelding here in 61 previous starts, suggesting that he thinks the surface may be too slow for him. We will find out soon enough. All You Need is an interesting participant, coming from a yard among the winners and with a pilot riding with confidence on board. The six-year-old is on a reasonable mark and if the first-time eye shield is to his liking then he could go close. As always with races of this nature the market should be checked for any confidence elsewhere, but we will take Tag Team to land the prize.
Jul's Lad (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Ridden to lead after 1f, headed well over 2f out, beaten when hung badly left over 1f out, 8th of 12, 12l behind Topcroft (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Nabeeda 5-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, driven and stayed on towards finish, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Best One (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
All You Need (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 7l behind Carnival Dream (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f Apprentice Handicap (0-52) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
Hart of Gold 18-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, driven, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Orangeleg (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Tadlil 5-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Angle Of Attack (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs in Dec.
Tag Team (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd inside final 2f, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Angle Of Attack (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs in Dec.
Ronnie Howe 33-1 (8-4) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 5l behind Mr Funshine (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Gower 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, pulled hard early, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 8l behind Interchoice Star (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Mickys Mate 100-1 (8-8) Held up and keen, weakened well over 1f out, last of 11, 22l behind Tamino (9-0) at Lingfield 7f Handicap (0-56) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Lujiana 33-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 5l behind Welcome Approach (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
