chased leaders, led after 1st, driven when pressed 3 out, headed next, rallied and every chance after last, kept on well
held up toward rear, headway 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened after next
led until after 1st, remained prominent, lost place before 3rd, rallied 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3rd, rallied 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never a threat
prominent, every chance 3 out, led next, strongly challenged after last, held on gamely (2 hurdles omitted)
held up, never dangerous
Confidence has rocketed in Demopolis after back-to-back victories at Ludlow, one over fences and one over hurdles. But a 5lb rise is a worry given he just scrambled home last time. Morning Spirit switches to handicaps after a second in a novice event at Plumpton while this represents a drop in class for once-smart chaser Top Gamble. Sabbathical won at Leicester in January but was only fourth at Sedgefield a few days later. Nelson's Touch hasn’t fired this season but is back on a winning mark so may do better. The mare DAYTIME AHEAD has been picking up the pieces in races like this for several seasons. It’s a long time since she ran over a trip this short and she’s not very consistent but it would be no surprise to see Ron Hodges’ grey run well at a price.
Top Gamble (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Pressed leader on outside, led narrowly after 4 out, driven and headed when hung right turning in, lost place 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 19l behind Bean In Trouble (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Morning Spirit (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5th, plugged on in 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Highway One O Two (11-8) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Buster Moon (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent 10th, pushed along 12th, behind when pulled up before 14th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Show On The Road 13-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear,, 7th of 11, dist behind Endless Flight (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Nelson's Touch 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, last of 8, 12 3/4l behind Applesandpierres (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Sabbathical (FR) 13-8fav (12-2) Chased leading pair, went 2nd at 3rd, ridden after bypassing 3 out, no impression, dropped to 3rd before last, lost that placing close home, 4th of 10, 8l behind Bertie Blake (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Stage Summit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, driven and headed when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 28 1/2l behind Organdi (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Demopolis (FR) 4-5fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon tracking leader, every chance from 2 out, hard driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating All Good Things (11-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Daytime Ahead (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Kilconny Bridge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Giga White (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, always behind, 14th of 16, 33l behind Night Edition (10-9) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
