chased leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
mid-division, headway 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on under pressure 2 out, no extra flat
in touch, lost place 7th, kept on under pressure approaching 3 out, no impression
led to 1st, chased leaders, reminders 5th, lost place 7th, soon behind
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 4 out, one pace from next
mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to lead again after last, stayed on
held up behind, some headway 7th, weakened after 4 out
mid-division and outside, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
always behind
always behind
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, hampered 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed after last, no extra
held up behind, headway after 4 out, effort 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
chased leaders, lost place when hampered 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
led 1st to 4th, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, close up and every chance when fell 4 out
slowly away, always behind
Bleu Pois has plenty in his favour and has carried big weights to victory in the past so gets the vote in the opener but High Stand Lad, Rudaki and Lucius Rufo are all worth a second look. The handicapper hasn't taken many chances with Bleu Pois as he's now 16lbs higher than when winning a 3 mile handicap on his penultimate start but the drop back to 2 and a half miles looked to be his undoing last time rather than his extra weight. That run was on good ground and the hope is that today's testing conditions provide him with a suitable test. High Stand Lad, Lucius Rufo and Rudaki have all run well enough in qualifying for a mark to make them of interest on their handicap bows and all are partnered by capable conditionals. It would be no surprise to see one, or indeed all three, nibbled at in the market. Ex-Irish Rosie Lea and Pelo Du Bief are also worth a glance but Bleu Pois boasts a solid profile and is selected.
Carrietau 25-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 7l behind Sculastic (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, chased winner last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind King Daniel (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
More Likely 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Patricksnineteenth (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Lucius Rufo (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace 2 out, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Hue (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Em's Royalty 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase winner last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Treasured Memories (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 35l behind Cave of The Giant (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Held up, hit 10th, headway 4 out,beaten when blundered last, 5th of 12, 33l behind Northern Quest (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Sriology (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, steady progress from 5th, tracke winner after 3 out, one length down when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Zimbabwe (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Posh Stick 40-1 (10-0) Chased leader until fell at the 2nd in race won by Master Sebastian (10-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Wise Choice 50-1 (10-13) Hit 4th, always towards rear, 16th of 17, 24l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Mr Midaz 33-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 15, 45l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
High Stand Lad 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, ridden and one pace approaching last, 5th of 15, 12l behind Quicuyo (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Solway Bee 5-1 (11-7) Always behind, pushed along 6th, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Browneyes Blue (10-3) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 13 ran.
Rudaki 10-3 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 32l behind Secret Pact (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '06.
Cha Cha Cha Dancer 25-1 (11-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, well behind Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Rosie Lea (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after 3 out, 7th of 18, more than 13l behind Phelans Fancy (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp 0-105 gf in May.
Oleolat (FR) 80-1 (10-7) Raced keenly in touch, effort 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Brickies Mate (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
False Trail 25-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 45l behind Imaalhall (9-13) at Down Royal 2m cnd hcp hdl gs in Dec.
