mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden and lost place 6th, kept on approaching 2 out, no chance with 1st 2
held up, headway 6th, led 2 out, clear last, eased flat
jumped left, led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, headway 5th, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, blundered 7th, soon pulled up
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened 8th
chased leader until hit 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A dreadful affair in which Kings Castle is selected in preference to Vitelucy and Homeleigh Mooncoin. Ron Hodges charge is another horse that falls into the category of being too good for handicaps to be competitive but with plenty of ability for this level of company. He ran another solid race last time out when arguably given too much to do but with the BHB figures suggesting that he'll be too good for these - we will not argue against them too heavily. Vitelucy stays much further than today's trip and is back after a sizeable absence. That said, Mick Fitzgerald isn't in the business of riding too many no-hopers even at this level and a cursory note is made. Homeleigh Mooncoin is another with ability but has lost his way badly. He should not be ruled out at this steep drop in grade. First time blinkers look the last resort aboard The Maserati Kid while Sungio is back over hurdles following a couple of recent runs on the flat. Kings Castle secures the nomination.
Howaboys Quest (USA) 9-1 Held up in rear, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 22l behind Parish Oak at Leicester 2m 4f chs (F) gd in Nov.
Kings Castle (IRE) 8-1 Held up last, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on one pace to go 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Nick's Choice at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Phase Three (IRE) 6-1 fell in race won by Vicar's Lad at Bitterley 3m ptp gd, 12 ran.
Special Constable 25-1 Held up, ridden after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 17, 29l behind Dance of Life at Worcester 2m sll hdl (G) gf in Jun.
The Masareti Kid (IRE) 12-1 Always behind, tailed off from 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Pebble Bay at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Vitelucy 25-1 Led to 2nd, prominent until ridden approaching 5th, no danger from 7th, 7th of 10, 14l behind Hernandita at Worcester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Sungio 12-1 Held up in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Madison Avenue at Plumpton 2m 5f nov clm hdl (F) sft in Dec '02, 10 ran.
Who Cares Wins 7-1 Held up, effort 5th, behind approaching 3 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rose Of York at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs, 15 ran.
