in touch until weakened 7th
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed and mistake 2nd, prominent to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, led 7th to approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake last
prominent to 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
prominent, led approaching 6th to 7th, led again approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably
held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard, led 2nd, hung right approaching 3rd, headed approaching 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 6th, ridden to go 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
In the seller, the vote goes to The Last Mohican, with Westernmost and Pilca given as his main dangers. The Last Mohican was sent off as favourite for a similar course and distance event last time and ran as though the race would bring him on. If so, and as long as the going does not dry out too much, he looks to hold a good chance as his most recent win came off a mark of 99, which stands up to scrutiny here. Turaath also fares well on ratings and he managed to win a three-mile handicap off a mark of 110 in March. He drops to this grade for the first time but needs to put four poor runs behind him in order to feature. A 98-rated winner in 2004, Westernmost still retains ability and has to be considered dropped to this grade for the first time. Pilca likes it here and, although beaten in a seller last time, his overall track form of the last 12 months earns him plenty of respect. Finally, Prairie Law might sneak a place and Ask The Umpire's most-recent win came in a seller but he has a little to find on adjusted ratings. Once again, then, for the selection, we turn to The Last Mohican.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 15, 37l behind Golden Feather (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Turaath (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakening when hit 3 out, 15th of 18, well behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Makandy 13-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5th, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Irish Blessing (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Pilca (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 17l behind Barella (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
Prairie Law (GER) 10-1 (10-11) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Julies Boy (10-11) at Leicester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
The Last Mohican 4-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Barton Gate (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) hvy in Dec.
Westernmost 9-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace, 5th of 11, 30l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
The Wife's Sister 5-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 16, 29l behind Star Trooper (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
