led, not fluent 3rd, headed 6 out, weakened 4 out
with leader, blunderd 2nd, lost place quickly approaching 6th
held up towards rear, went 2nd 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
held up in rear, headway to lead 5 out, challenged from 2 out, pushed out flat, comfortably
held up towards rear,pushed along and in rear from 4th, tailed off 5 out
tracked leaders, led 6 out, headed next, weakened after last
held up in touch and keen, tracked leader approaching 4th,challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
This race could cut up badly with several entered in races on Friday so it is with some trepidation that we plump for I'M DELILAH ahead of Pepsyrock and Noble Request. Ferdy Murphy has a good record at this meeting and this improving mare can be forgiven her run when tenth in the Arkle. This is more her level and on her two runs at Doncaster at the turn of the year she showed that a race of this ilk is well within her scope. Takeroc, Chaninbar and Raysrock are all engaged on Friday but a case can be made for each if taking part, however a bigger threat may be Folk Tune. He had a lovely run for fitness on the flat at Catterick earlier in the month and this fairly-handicapped horse may have a big role to play today, especially if his form behind De Boitron is franked on Friday. Noble Request may not be the force of old but there is little doubt that he is potentially well-handicapped on this first handicap run over fences, whilst Quito Du Tresor and Fred Bojangals have been in good form at a lower level but in all likelihood will struggle from out of the weights. Of more interest is Pepsyrock who is a course and distance winner and is starting to edge back down to what looks a winnable mark, especially on good ground. A good chance for I'm Delilah to score however is the verdict.
Takeroc (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, soon weakened, 19th of 28, 41l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
I'm Delilah 25-1 (11-0) Led, edged left after 2nd, headed next, chased leaders, lost place 9th, behind from next, 10th of 12, 29l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Pepsyrock (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway appropaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened and lost 3rd approaching last, 5th of 16, 33l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Noble Request (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up last, not fluent 5th, outpaced 7th, headway to 2nd before 3 out, weakened next, no chance when went left and blundered last, 4th of 5, 27l behind Riverside Theatre (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Folk Tune (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 26l behind De Boitron (10-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 2-1fav (11-2) Made all, quickened pace 10th soon clear, 8 lengths clear last, ridden and tired near finish, just held on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Storymaker (11-6) by nk, 6 ran.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Raced keenly, always travelling well, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led last, driven out, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Calculaite (10-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Chaninbar (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Soon chasing leader, blundered 3rd, led 6th, clear from next, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs beating Doctor David (11-1) by 15l, 16 ran.
Raysrock (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place 6th, headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, led after next, edged left after last, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar beating Paddys Unyoke (9-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
