tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden after next, led before last, driven out
pressed leader, led 6th until next, led 8th, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
sometimes jumped right, led until 6th, led 7th until next, not fluent 9th, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Of all the races on the card, this could be the trappiest and we give the vote to TOPLESS with Painter Man and Tuskar Rock on the shortlist. Neil Mulholland's mare is in position to receive lumps of weight from her market rivals and that could be telling. The handicapper is finally loosening his grip and if her jumping holds together, she has very realistic claims. Painter Man represents a resurgent yard and should not be ignored. He has only had one career start over fences and is proficient while not particularly speedy. Tuskar Rock ran his best race for some time when chasing home Omix D'Or at Hereford. The front pair were well clear. Khazar hasn't quite lived up to the promise that his blood lines suggest. Colline De Fleurs has an appalling completion rate at present and is probably best watched at present. Topless is our idea of the most likely winner.
Painter Man (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, steady headway 8th, chased leading pair next, chased winner before 2 out, ridden and over 3 lengths down when mistake last, rallied as winner tired near finish, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Canni Thinkaar (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 7-1 (11-10) With leader, sometimes went left carried by that rival, led 5th until 7th, led 11th until 13th, ridden after 4 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Omix D'or (10-12) at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Khazar (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, sharp reminders after 2nd, blundered badly 4th, hampered 6th, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Sir Ian (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Colline de Fleurs 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Topless (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) With leader, led 5th, hit 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Deep Pockets (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
