chased leaders, driven approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
in touch, weakened 3 out
lead into headed after 3 out, weakened rapidly
chased leaders, no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, ridden and hit last, rallied to regain 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
took keen hold, held up, smooth headway, to lead on bit after 3 out, in no danger when rider dropped whip flat, easily
always behind, not fluent, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off when hit next
close up, chased leading pair and hit 3out, went 2nd 2out, soon no chance with easy winner, no extra and lost 2nd flat
held up, weakened approaching 3out
chased leaders to approaching 3 out, weakened rapidly
Nonrunner
Our shortlisted three are South O' The Border, Scarlet Mix and Helen Wood with a narrow vote going to Scarlet Mix. Admittedly, Scarlet Mix was disappointing at Newcastle last time but, working on the principle that you can forgive a horse one bad run, he can go well today from a mark that is five pounds above his winning Warwick mark of two runs ago, where he looked as though he was a horse who would only ever do just enough to win. Helen Wood rates a big danger despite having been raised ten pounds for a smooth Leicester win, while South O' The Border, based on his third to the very decent Predateur last time, could have got into this race on a favourable mark. We expect a good run from the pair of them but, for the selection, we will stick with Scarlet Mix.
South O'The Border 6-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 5th, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened after next, 7th of 11, 28l behind Benetwood (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dance With Wolves (FR) 6-1 (10-7) In touch, mistake 6th, not fluent 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Migwell (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Scarlet Mix (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up, some headway 7th, outpaced 4 out, 9th of 11, 42l behind Return Ticket (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Helen Wood 11-4fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, went 2nd going well approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan beating Hardybuck (10-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Open Range (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, blundered 5th, lost place approaching next, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Imtihan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Nick's Choice 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 11l behind Cannon Fire (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Isam Top (FR) 12-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Hereditary (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Colony Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Behind, never fluent, early blundered 5th, tailed off and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, one pace, 6th of 10, 8l behind Warningcamp (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
