chased leaders, reminder 6th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, all out to lead post
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat
led, headed after 5th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led 7th, clear after 2 out, caught post
prominent, chased leader approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
close up, led after 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, not fluent 1st, weakened from 7th
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place halfway, pulled up before 6th
held up, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 7th, pulled up before 3 out
Nicky Richards holds a strong hand with both The Abbots Habit and The Whisperer and it is the latter that is preferred, with Neutron the only other with serious claims. The Whisperer lost no caste in defeat when third to a couple of more experienced rivals in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham last time, and having won in effortless fashion earlier on his debut for the yard, has the potential to be very useful. The ex-Irish point-to-pointer is the pick over his stablemate The Abbots Abbot who was slightly fortunate to win as far as he did here last time as his nearest rival came down at the final flight. He should get today's trip no problem, but looks set to play second fiddle to the selection, on whom Rose Davidson can claim a valuable 5lb into the bargain. Of the remainder, only Neutron makes any appeal, but he lacks experience over timber, so we very much prefer the claims of the progressive The Whisperer.
The Abbots Habit (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) won at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Roc Tredudon (10-12) by 25l, 10 ran.
Captain Murphy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 11th halfway, ridden approaching straight and kept on from 2f out, 6th of 26, 5l behind Mansefield (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 2f nhf gf in May '04.
Dalawan 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 4 out, faded, 6th of 13, 24l behind The Last Viking (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Dantor 250-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hit 6th, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 15, 13l behind Dancing Lyra (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Neutron (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, regained narrow lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Middleton Dene (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Presenting Edward 200-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by The Whisperer (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Rule Water (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 6th, soon behind, 8th of 9, well behind Silver Snitch (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Storymaker 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind, pushed along, struggling from halfway, 8th of 11, well behind Skippers Brig (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Emily 200-1 (10-0) Mid-division, tailed off after 6th and pulled up in race won by Chief Dan George (11-5) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Gala Queen 100-1 (10-8) Led, headed 4f out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind King Daniel (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Lesley Cottage Shambo mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Sparky Rocket 100-1 (10-4) Chased leader to 8th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
The Whisperer (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, smooth headway to track leaders 9th, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Flight Leader (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
