held up, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced 9th, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd towards finish
made all, clear until after 3rd, reminder approaching 7th, drew clear again from 3 out, eased towards finish
held up, pushed along approaching, no response, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased winner 2nd until 7th, weakened after 9th
held up in touch, chased winner 7th, hung left and beaten from 3 out
chased winner until 2nd, struggling and not fluent 8th, soon behind
held up, mistake 5th, ridden after next, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Herne Bay took advantage of a dropping mark when successful at Stratford on Monday but may struggle to follow up under a 7lb penalty and preference is for Leo McGarry, who gets the vote over Billy Bush. The last mentioned has rather harshly been hit hard by the handicapper for his win on similar ground at Kelso in November and Ferdy Murphy's gelding may now be a shade high in the weights. Itsmyboy should do better back on a more suitable surface today and is back on a favourable mark so makes more appeal than Linnet, who may be a shade high in the weights. Classic Capers would probably want softer ground, while Hautclan has proven to be expensive to follow. Leo McGarry has done little wrong of late following wins at Stratford and Fontwell and he looks to be on a fair mark for his handicap debut so gets the vote.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up behind, some headway after 9th, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Hautclan (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, driven along 5th, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, 9th of 15, 47l behind Michael Muck (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Herne Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 8th, headway approaching next, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating My Lady Link (10-11) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Linnet (GER) 11-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway from 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Beau Michel (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Leo McGarry (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-11) Mid-division,dropped to rear 7th, headway next, led before 2 out, soon clear and, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Court Alliance (10-13) by 8l, 10 ran.
Pardon What 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, pecked badly 3rd, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 33l behind Royal Katidoki (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Classic Capers 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 8th, headway 10th, effort when not fluent 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Little Big Horse (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Billy Bush (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 15l behind Haggle Twins (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
