mid-division, stumbled badly unseated rider 1st
always towards rear, behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, took closer order 6th, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, blundered 4th, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
led, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
held up behind, pushed along after 6th, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out
always behind, never on terms
chased leader, pushed along after 6, went 2nd approaching last, soon every chance until held post
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden, under pressure approaching last, just held on
THEATRE BELLE is given the tentative vote to land this competitive handicap with both Backbord and Doubly Guest worth noting. The selection won off a mark of 120 in May of last year. She continues to run well this winter and caught the eye when second to Harmony Brig at Ayr last time out. She has been given a further five pounds to deal with here but if recapturing her best she is sure to be in the shake up once again. Backbord is a versatile type who won back to back races this time last year. He won a novice chase when last seen at Fakenham back in November and reverts to hurdles this afternoon. Lucy Wadham has her team of horses in fine form so any market moves should be noted. Doubly Guest ran well behind United at Ascot last time out which is good form. She has run well on various ground conditions and different trips and is more than capable of being in the shake up. However for the winner we return to Theatre Belle.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) In touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 10l behind Harmony Brig (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Theatre Belle 14-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, led last, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, shd behind Harmony Brig (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Mister McGoldrick 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 3rd until next, led 10th until next, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Backbord (GER) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, not fluent until jump well 8th, hedway to chase leader 10th, led 2 out, soon ridden and clear approaching last, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Hopkins (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Doubly Guest 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, tired when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 24l behind United (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Another Brother (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led after 1st, ridden and hard pressed from 3 out, edged left and headed approaching last, kept on, no extra, 2nd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 4th, left 3rd at 8, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Nevertika (FR) 5-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Along The Nile 8-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, staying on when hit last, driven and rallied flat, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind European Dream (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Im Spartacus 10-3fav (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Arafan (9-11) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov '07.
Greenbelt 14-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden to lead and hit last, all out, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan beating Argento Luna (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Owlesbury Dream (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, hit 10th, 11th and 12th, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Katess (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Laustra Bad (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Chased leaders until blundered badly and dropped rear 5th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, never a threat after, 5th of 15, 29l behind Presenting Copper (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Oscardeal (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Led and raced wide, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 46l behind Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
