tracked leaders, led approaching 3rd, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
with leaders early, in touch, pushed along approaching 5th, soon in rear, reminders after 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
tracked leaders on inner, reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
held up in rear, hampered 3rd, blundered 12th, hit 5 out, chased leaders approaching 4 out,led narrowly after 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, with leader 10th, every chance 2 out, one pace from next
close up, chased leaders and close 2nd when fell 3rd
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, headway 13th, led approaching 4 out, headed narrowly after 2 out, regained lead last, stayed on well
The trip is a question mark for Tanks For That so preference is for MIDDLETON DENE ahead of Nikos Extra and Passport Control. Rose Dobbin's gelding made hard work of winning at Carlisle last time but ultimately won a shade cosily. As a result the handicapper has not gone overboard and he looks nicely handicapped compared to his hurdles mark. Nikos Extra ran fairly well in defeat at Sandown last month and he looks a player, despite the nagging doubt over his handicap mark, although it must be said that his yard are in better form now. Corkage has been saved for this Spring ground and is considered a big player, as is the consistent Mont Present and the recent winner Eyre Square. Passport Control is a former point-to-point winner and he ran ok behind Poker De Sivola at Catterick when last seen, without threatening to win that is. Today he gets to race off a mark of 115 as he ventures into handicap company for the first time and that may prove lenient. The consistent Bally Wall comes across from Ireland and the booking of Andrew Lynch to ride catches the eye. He stays very well so would be likely to appreciate a true gallop. An interesting race, but the nod goes to Middleton Dene.
Tanks For That (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, blundered 4th and 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Copper Bleu (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Corkage (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Prominent, pushed along approaching 9th, outpaced from 11th, 4th of 6, 19l behind Mhilu (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Sep.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Mar beating Mr Woods (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Nikos Extra (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway and in touch 10th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Mont Present (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, kept on to take 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Carrickmines (10-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Passport Control 20-1 (11-1) Jumped right, not always fluent, led, left well clear 1st, mistake 2nd, reduced advantage after 14th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, left 2nd when hampered by faller last, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Poker De Sivola (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Eyre Square (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, outpaced next, rallied and effort approaching 2nd last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Mar beating Dar Es Salaam (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Bally Wall (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 8th halfway, improved into 2nd 6 out, disputed lead from 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd at last, rallied under pressure, ran on well closing stages, 2nd of 15, nk behind Chief Oscar (10-6) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 in Mar.
Coq Hardi (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Chasing leaders when fell 5th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
