in rear, headway from 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, soon quickly weakened
held up towards rear, jumped right 3rd and 4th, soon in rear, struggling from 9th
tracked leader, took closer order 7th, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, well held in 2nd when blundered last
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, clear before last
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
Dowd's Destiny has the best recent form on offer when only beaten a head on fast ground at Market Rasen on his chasing debut. His earlier efforts on soft ground leave him with something to prove here, however, and he's taken on with CIRCUS CLOWN. The latter has won over hurdles at this track in heavy going and shaped well enough on his first start over fences when sixth at Kelso. Quacity finished a close-up fifth at Newcastle on his chasing bow and, though he has something to find with the principals, makes most appeal of the remaining trio.
Alfred Oats 10-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Through The Mist (11-7) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Cassius (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up in last pair, hampered 2nd, mistake 7th, ridden and outpaced in 5th after 4 out, no chance with leaders, weakened from next, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Lie Forrit (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
Circus Clown (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, weakened from 12th, 6th of 9, 10l behind The Panama Kid (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Nov.
Dowd's Destiny (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chased leading pair, left 2nd 2 out, closed on winner approaching last, ridden to lead flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Wyck Hill (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov.
Quacity (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Led to 4th, tracked winner, lost place 8th, outpaced 4 out, ridden and rallied approaching 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Transact (9-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
