hit 1st, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from next, left 3rd last, never on terms
led, headed after 4 out, weakened from next
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind
raced keenly and held up, headway and in touch 4th, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace flat
raced keenly, held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next
in touch, reminders after 6th, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge next, led 2 out, kept on flat
mid-division, reminder 6th, behind from next, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden and lost place 4 out, kept on same pace from next, left 4th last
tracked leader, hit 6th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, 6 lengths 3rd and held when blundered and unseated rider last
A poor opener for the track and Bold Ransom probably showed enough on debut to justify the nod here, with Oakapple Express, Frankie Figg and Big John Macarty others considered. The selection went well enough for a long way on his Ayr debut last month when he looked as though better ground would help. He was not knocked about once beaten and should come on plenty for the run, so with that in mind we will take a chance on him. Oakapple Express has not been seen out since February of last year when contesting his fourth and final bumper. If he can translate his form from the level to hurdles then it would be no surprise to see him go close if fit enough after a long lay off. Frankie Figg has been beaten by some lengthy margins thus far but it seems likely that this better ground will see him take a much closer hand, especially as it is not a hot contest, and so he can make his presence felt. Of the others Big John Macarty comes from a yard whose runners here are respected. He put up his best display so far when runner up on fast ground last time out and a repeat of that effort will see him in the shake up, so he can't be ruled out, but preference here is for Bold Ransom to get us off to a good start.
Bold Ransom (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Massasoit (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Buckingham Boys (11-0) Hung left throughout, always in rear, tailed off 4th, 12th of 16, well behind Inherent (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon hung left and weakened from last, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Ramsden Boy (10-9) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Mar.
Hilly Gale 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, behind 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Air Force One (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Oakapple Express 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced, hung left over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 20, 3l behind Night Safe (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) hvy in Feb '06.
Thenford Lord (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Keen in touch, weakened 6th, no danger after, 8th of 16, 34l behind Barracat (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Troys Run (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders halfway, 9th of 20, well behind Brave Rebellion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gf.
Big John Macarty (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden along after 3 out, fade on one pace to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 16l behind Im A Witness (11-2) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
