held up towards rear, smooth headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, ran on well
tracked leader, challenged 5 out, headed 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and well held run-in
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out
led, blundered and headed 4 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on from last
Ali Brewer is having a lot of fun with Proud Times over hurdles and fences and the handicapper may still have not got to grips with the eight-year-old just yet. But he is probably better on an easier surface while Carpincho's losing run continued at Leicester, though he's been dropped a further 2lb since. Shaun Harris had a winner last week and FATHER SHINE usually runs well around here. He is only 2lb higher than when just beaten over course and distance in December so gets the vote. The better ground should suit That's The Deal but he's hard to catch right.
Great Value (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and headway before 2 out, soon every chance, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 17l behind Forced Family Fun (10-7) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Proud Times (USA) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out until ridden before next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, hung left flat, no chance with leading duo, weakened into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 6l behind Clonusker (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Father Shine (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Hampered 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, close up 10th, lost place next, ridden before 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Roc D'apsis (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Carpincho (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Led until 7th, stayed handy, ridden 4 out, chased winner 3 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Lord Landen (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
That's The Deal (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders until outpaced approaching 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Caulfields Venture (10-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
