always prominent, effort 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
tracked leader, led 7th, headed 2 out, rallied last, ridden and no extra flat
led to 7th, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway to go moderate 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair
held up, outpaced 5 out, never on terms
raced keenly, 4th and in touch when fell 6th
held up in rear, outpaced 7th, never on terms
Nonrunner
Course and distance winner CARRIETAU to be the answer to this handicap conundrum ahead of Za Beau and It's Bertie. The selection is now back down to his last winning mark and despite not taking advantage that fact last time when well beaten at Sedgefield; this is an easier assignment and on his preferred ground. Za Beau struggled a bit under this mark last time which stands at three pounds heavier than when a winner on his penultimate start. The form lines from the last two starts have produced nothing of note and this trip could be slightly on the sharp side. It's Bertie posted some promising near miss results before the assessor took a dim view and raised him to this mark which he struggled under on his last run. On old form Colliers Court would have a chance in this race and may run well enough for a share of the prize pot but Carrietau should take advantage of his favourable terms here.
Za Beau (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 25l behind Johnny Roche (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
It's Bertie 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in touch, hit 7th, effort to chase leader briefly approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 6, 35l behind Glimmer of Light (9-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Stormy Beech 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, took closer order 4th, blundered when lost place 5th, 10th of 12, well behind Bamby (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy.
Hutch 20-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Top Dressing (11-8) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov '07.
Mr Floppy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 14, 47l behind Donald Will Do (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Towards rear, some headway 4 out, weakened next, 14th of 15, 37l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Hickory Lane 9-1 (10-6) Held up, steady headway 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 13, well behind Snowy (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Carrietau 12-1 (11-5) In touch, chased winner 8th, lost place 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 22l behind Stagecoach Amber (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Colliers Court 10-1 (10-9) Led until headed 6th, chased leader until weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
