chased leader until before 6th, chased leaders, outpaced when hit 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms with leaders after
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened quickly before next
raced wide chasing leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 6th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before next, kept on
chased leaders on inside, led 3 out until before next, chased winner, kept on same pace
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
mid-division until jumped slowly 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
behind most of way, tailed off
held up towards rear, switched left and no real impression before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, mistake last
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and keeping on well in 4th when hit last, never nearer
held up and always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders and hit 4 out, weakened before next
raced wide, led until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, tailed off
TACTICAL MANOEUVRE and Neetside were separated by just a neck over course and distance last month and there is nothing between them here with the latter now 1lb better off. To confuse matters further, Mt Magill came home just under 5l behind in third place but is weighted to get far closer to the front two now. It's very much a toss-of-the-coin affair but the selection is the more consistent of the trio and did show a good attitude to his work in repelling all challengers the last twice. Astra Via may play a part but is unproven at this trip and check out the two at the head of the weights in the market as they move into handicap company for the first time.
Bobmahley (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off from 5th, 15th of 16, dist behind Normandy Soldier (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Call Me Chris 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, 8th of 12, 31 1/4l behind Fix Sun (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Neetside (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway leaving back straight, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, 2nd of 16, nk behind Tactical Manoeuvre (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Tactical Manoeuvre (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, hit last, hung left and kept on gamely run-in (hurdles omitted in back straight due to low sun, only 4 hurdles jumped), won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Neetside (11-4) by nk, 16 ran.
Spring Steel (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Keen, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Pahaska (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Held up off the pace in mid-division, closer after 3 out, headway approaching next, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Viking Ruby (10-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Astra Via 11-4 (10-4) Held up, effort 3 out, no impression next, went modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 14 1/2l behind Born To Please (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Russian Service 6-1 (10-9) Prominent when blundered 1st, chased leaders, losing place from 4th, slow 6th, weakened 5 out, mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Moynihans Girl (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, struggling after 3 out, 8th of 11, 33l behind Shufoog (11-6) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (5) gd in May.
Never A Word (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in 6th, lost place halfway, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Princess Harley (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Cottonvale (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Raced wide chasing leaders, pushed along bypassing omitted 3 out, weakened soon after, 12th of 16, 29 1/4l behind Tactical Manoeuvre (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Mr Magill (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Behind, steady headway on long run to 2 out, went modest 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Tactical Manoeuvre (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Havacuppa 50-1 (10-10) Held up, fell 1st, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
No No Tonic 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 6th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Shimba Hills (10-1) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Doodle Dandy (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Always behind, 9th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Minnie Escape (10-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Spirit Of Rome (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 5l behind The Tin Miner (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Asking A Lot (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, blundered 4th, lost place after next, 7th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Jaisalmer (12-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
