chased winner, mistake 2nd, not fluent 10th, mistake 16th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
ridden away from start, chased leaders, hit 12th, lost place before 14th, pulled up before 16th
made all, not fluent 5th, jumped right and not fluent 16th, clear before 4 out, eased close home
mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened after 16th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division on outside, slow and lost place 5th, not fluent 7th, mistake 11th, pulled up
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway 7th, not fluent 14th, mistake 16th, went 2nd before 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression on winner, plugged on
behind until pulled up before 13th
Samstown is most definitely in the veteran stage now but blinkers inspired him to wind back the clock over this trip at Kelso three weeks ago. Donna's Delight is still a maiden over fences but he’s been slipping down the weights and could figure if wind surgery has had the desired effect. Diamond Brig was a long way behind Speak Of The Devil at Newcastle but will be all the better for that outing, his first since April 2018. Another Emotion ran a shocker last time at Chepstow but had finished second at Sedgefield before that. TEDDY TEE jumped really well at Carlisle and refused to yield when challenged on the run-in. He’s only 3lb higher here and could complete the double having struggled to get his head in front previously.
Teddy Tee (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Made all, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, all out towards finish, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Shanroe Santos (12-3) by shd, 4 ran.
Another Emotion (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place after 7th, struggling 10th, mistake next, tailed off 13th, pulled up after, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Donna's Delight (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, lost place 4 out, ridden and well beaten after next, 5th of 8, 22l behind Lord Du Mesnil (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Samstown 18-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd last, led flat, soon clear, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Total Assets (11-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Diamond Brig 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 4th, remained prominent, mistake 5 out, weakened next, remote 4th, 4th of 7, dist behind Capard King (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Speak Of The Devil (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Led, headed when blundered 2nd, led again 4th, mistake 10th, soon headed, under pressure 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Capard King (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place when not fluent 7th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.