held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, went 3rd after 5th, ridden 3 out, no impression, weakened 2 out
led until approaching 4th where not fluent, soon ridden, weakened 5th
took keen hold early stages in mid-division, reminder after 3rd, weakened approaching 5th
tracked leader, blundered 2nd, challenged next, led approaching 4th, headed next, stayed pressing until led again 2 out, edged left approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, effort 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led next, headed when not fluent 2 out, hung left flat, stayed on same pace
mid-division, closed after 2nd, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, jumped right 1st and 2nd, not fluent 3rd, behind when mistake next, pulled up after 3 out
The Chazer is a bit more exposed than some but has been knocking on the door this season and was a fair third in a handicap at Taunton last month after a couple of months off. Bit Of A Clown's Leicester third probably didn't amount to much while the market may be the best guide to Jimmy The Saint's chances after almost three years on the sidelines. Ben Cee Pee M has been well beaten in all three starts over hurdles so the vote goes to NEWTON TONIC. He ran a lot better than his final placing suggests on his debut over timber at Plumpton and was taking on better opposition when a well-beaten third over this C&D subsequently. Still open to improvement, Alex Hales' charge could be a bit of value in this opener.
Automaticman (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, weakened approaching 5th, 14th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ben Cee Pee M (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased leaders 3 out, soon hard driven, weakened next, 4th of 14, 24l behind Shammick Boy (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bit Of A Clown (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Non Dom (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Crackerjac Boy (USA) 100-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in rear, pushed along after 3rd, soon well behind, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Buckie Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Jimmy The Saint (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, every chance approaching final furlong, soon beaten, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Kaskader (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar '08.
Newton Tonic 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, challenged for 3rd after last, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 8, 34l behind Pret A Thou (11-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
North Stack 150-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 12f out, ridden 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Hit The Headlines (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
The Chazer (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased leading pair from after 3 out, one pace next, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Henry King (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Wheretheres A Will 25-1 (10-12) Close up on outside, lost place after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Silver Footnote (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Winnetka Dancer 100-1 (11-3) Soon tracking leaders, lost place 8f out, soon tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Gorgehous Lliege (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Supreme Oscar (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always in rear, never a factor, 14th of 15, well behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
