chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, challenged 2 out, led and bumped last, drew clear flat, easily
held up behind leaders, bumped 1st, not fluent 5th, headway next, shaken up and every chance 2 out, switched right before last, no extra flat
raced keenly, jumped right, led, not fluent 5th, bumped and headed last, no chance with winner flat
handy on outside, bumped 1st, went 2nd before 4th until 3 out, soon held, no extra last
prominent on inside, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened
NonRunner
NonRunner
Progressive’s defection is a blow for each-way punters but this is still a competitive handicap with the remaining seven runners having won 24 races between them. Only First Quest has had a recent run but he looks a few pounds too high. PERCY’S WORD finished a couple of lengths ahead of Samba Dancer at Cheltenham in November and is a pound better off. He may well confirm that running but course and distance winners Wasdell Dundalk and Pillar Of Steel could also play a part and the going will also suit Mister Allegro. Wewillgowithplanb has a longer absence to overcome than his rivals and is also having a first run for a new yard.
Wasdell Dundalk (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Raced in 4th, jumped slowly and pushed along 3rd, mistake and reminder after next, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind See The Sea (10-13) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Percy's Word 22-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway and ridden before last, no extra final 100yds, 12th of 18, 5 1/4l behind Mc Alpine (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Samba Dancer (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Led, mistake 4th, ridden approaching last, mistake and headed last, weakened flat, 14th of 18, 7 1/4l behind Mc Alpine (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wewillgowithplanb (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Made all, one length clear 3 out where not fluent, ran on well run-in and went clear, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m mdn gd in Jul beating Heronord (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
First Quest (USA) 20-1 (11-10) Midfield, ridden 3 out, headway before 2 out, one pace from before last, 4th of 9, 12 1/4l behind American Gerry (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Mister Allegro 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Prince Abu (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Progressive 14-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Honor And Pleasure (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Pillar Of Steel 9-2 (10-13) Raced in last, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out to snatch third close home, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 15l behind See The Sea (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
