mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden, some headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden, weakened 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, one pace
prominent, joined leaders 6th, led on bit 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, no extra
chased leader, ridden after 6th, led 7th, headed, hit 3 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened
towards rear, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden after 7th, headway to track leaders 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out
led, headed, weakened quickly 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, no impression
always behind, tailed off approaching 5th
Abragante, Micky Cole and Baloo are three against the field in a competitive opener and the narrow vote is given to Abragante . The selection was well beaten last time out but this represents a massive drop in class and under conditions that suit he looks the value bet in an open affair. Mickey Cole rates the main danger on his best form but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and he looks opposable on that basis. Baloo is another worthy of respect but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him when well beaten last time behind Underwriter. Aspara won well last time out when beating Killdini but will find this harder under a penalty. Of the remainder Noble Calling has an experienced jockey booked for this type of event and could go well at a price but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Abragante.
Baloo 3-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, ridden after 13th, weakened 14th, tailed off, 5th of 6, 47l behind Underwriter (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f nov chs (E) gs in Nov.
Bak To Bill 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 25l behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Noble Calling (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 17l behind Squantum (10-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Spring Junior (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until 4th, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 41l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Aspra (FR) 7-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 6th, challenged going well from 2 out, led final 50 yards, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug beating Kilindini (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Abragante (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Raced wide in mid-division, struggling from 3rd, tailed off 5th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Datito (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Dere Lyn 22-1 (10-7) Held up toards rear, headway after 8th, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 35l behind Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Alva Glen (USA) 40-1 (10-8) Held up last, lost touch after 4th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Desert Tommy 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakening when hampered next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Old Feathers (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 13 ran.
Surfboard (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Led until headed and weakened quickly after 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballyshan (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Micky Cole (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Capricorn 13-2 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Osokenda (11-7) at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp frm in Jan, 9 ran.
