tracked leading pair, went 2nd and every chance 3 out and next, 3rd when not fluent last, one pace flat, lost 3rd near finish
made most, blundered and headed 11th, weakened before 2 out, rallied from last, went 3rd near finish
in rear, pushed along 7th, lost touch 9th, went left 10th, pulled up next
chased leader, challenged 8th to next, led 11th, headed last, no chance with winner flat
held up in touch, mistake 10th, struggling after, no chance 3 out
tracked leading trio, tracked leading pair after 3 out, mistake next, driven to lead last, drew clear flat
Only a small field face the starter here, but there are four runners with good recent form, and MAGNETIC POLE can get the better of Lord Gunnerslake, Ponchatrain and Mutual Respect. Ponchatrain had a renaissance last season, winning two of his last three starts, but he has had a four month lay off and is 7lbs higher than his last success, so is opposed. Mutual Respect slammed his field at Fakenham last time, but this looks tougher and a 7lb penalty looks prohibitive. Lord Gunnerslake won a couple of races in decisive fashion before being a beaten favourite last time under a penalty, and he too is taken on. Conditions are likely to be on the fast side of good, which will suit Magnetic Pole, and this trip also looks perfect. He has not won for six months but his second last time was advertised by both the winner and the third winning next time out. He has been harshly raised 5lbs but Magnetic Pole can leave his punters feeling on top of the world.
Magnetic Pole 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 5th, went 2nd 13th, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Warpath (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Soon with leader, led 13th, headed next, ridden to lead again 2 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Feeling Peckish (9-7) by 12l, 7 ran.
Personal Column 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 10th, no chance from next, 2nd of 3, 21l behind Greenbridge (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd in Apr '09.
Morenito (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Soon in touch, blundered 10th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 38l behind Shanahan (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, bumped 2nd, badly hampered 9th, headway 3 out, 4th and closing last, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan beating Donald Will Do (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Beauchamp Viking (10-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
