took keen hold, led until 2nd, disputed lead, led again 6th, narrowly headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, some headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace and no impression
towards rear, pushed along when not much room on bend after 3 out, struggling after, pulled up 2 out
chased leaders, weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, driven along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied from next, went 3rd before last
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
led 2nd, narrowly headed 6th, disputed until led again narrowly before 2 out until 2 out, chased winner and stayed challenging, held flat
towards rear, driven along and stayed on before 2 out, modest 4th when hit last
soon struggling in rear, lost touch after 3rd, hit 5th and reminders, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, reminders 8th, hampered on bend after 3 out, no impression after
mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased leading pair after next, ridden to lead 2 out, soon pressed, kept on gamely under pressure flat
always towards rear, strugglong 8th, tailed off
raced wide, in touch, awkward 4th, driven and weakened after 7th, well behind 3 out, tailed off
A tricky race to call with HENRY HOOK suggested to get the better of Estates Recovery and Sir Bathwick. The selection sports first-time cheek pieces today and comes from a yard among the winners, that of Victor Dartnall. Already proven on a sound surface, this Kempton bumper winner has been dropped a few pounds in the weights to what looks a handy mark, and the step up in trip should suit this son of Presenting, who is given the nod. Estates Recovery is another from an in-form stable and Philip Hobbs will also be hoping that extending his trip will bring about improvement, while he should go on the ground. There are also first-time cheek pieces for Sir Bathwick, and with David Pipe's gelding now back to 1lb below his last winning mark and also guaranteed to stay he is much respected. Ballamusic acts on decent going and might just about get this far given those conditions, so he can get involved, and with Mac Halen one to note in the market, we'll side with Henry Hook.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always in rear, pulled up before last, in a race won by The Great Alfie (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Sun Quest 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 4th, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 13, 26l behind Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
The Entomologist (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Always behind, 6th of 10, well behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Stagehand (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) In touch, not fluent 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 35l behind Quinz (10-10) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until lost place before 5th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind The Minack (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Mac Halen (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent until not fluent 6th, soon dropped out, 14th of 16, well behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Henry Hook (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along from 3rd, lost touch after 5th, 13th of 16, 39l behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, pushed along before 6th, soon in rear, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Being There 28-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 8th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Knighton Lad (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov '07, 6 ran.
Red And White (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened from 5th, 5th of 7, 35l behind Manjam (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sir Harry Cool 25-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 35l behind Sona Sasta (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Rey Nacarado (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 12, 43l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Doran's Lodge (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and struggling before 7th, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ballamusic (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
