led to 6, soon outpaced, went a modest 3rd 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, in 4th when blundered last
prominent, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway to join leaders 4 out, led approaching next, drew clear run-in
chased leader, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened run-in
prominent, lost place approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along approaching 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
Oddsmaker makes a belated return to timber in the hope of better ground but doesn't get it today and so he is passed over in favour of Troll, with Rouge Fatal and Shares making up the shortlist. Len Lungo's six-year-old won on his penultimate start but then was slightly disappointing next time out at Kelso. He was pestered for the lead that day, however he may just get an easy lead today and from there he may be hard to peg back. Le Rouge Fatal looks the most obvious danger although he was a little disappointing last time out on heavy ground at Sedgefield. A mark of 100 looks a tad high, although he certainly has major place claims at least. Shares is consistent but pretty unspectacular and it remains to be seen whether reverting to hurdles today will see him back in front. Little Bob's mark of 92 makes him a live outsider, whilst Time To Roam is on a lenient mark if putting it all in. Ultimately, in an open contest, we will return to Troll as the selection.
Troll (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Led, headed approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 28l behind Brave Vision (10-3) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Led from 2nd and raced keen, headed after 3 out, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Percussionist (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov '05, 12 ran.
Le Rouge Fatal (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Neptune Joly (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Shares (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up, ridden and chased leaders approaching 7th, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 28l behind Marshall Hall (11-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Little Bob 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 17l behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-1) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Time To Roam (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 10, 50l behind Speed Venture (10-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Dispol Peto 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 15, 24l behind Beamish Prince (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) sft.
Dramatic Review (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 6th, 6th of 7, well behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-9) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
