tracked leaders, chased leader after 4 out, with winner and every chance next, soon lost action, 2nd when pulled up soon after 2 out, dismounted
held up, weakened 7th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out
not jumped well, in touch, ridden 3 out, left 2nd after 2 out, kept on
in rear some headway 6th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
led, headed 3rd, chased clear leader until after 4 out, led again 3 out, left clear after next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 8th
keen held up, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on to go 4th flat
steadied start, pulled hard, headway to lead 3rd soon clear, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in rear, struggling 6th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd last
with leader, tracked leaders after 3rd, weakened 8th, blundered 2 out
MERIDIAN CITY will be very tough to beat in the opener, with Eighteen Carat and Rubipresent others who might go well. The last-named should improve now stepped up in trip, with stamina on both sides of his pedigree, and after a decent education in bumpers he can begin to show us more. Eighteen Carat was a shade disappointing behind Gus McRae at Hereford last time but better ground might well help here and he may be capable of better. Oscar Honey has won over this trip in Ireland and went close to doing so at Market Rasen last season. However, recent efforts have been less encouraging and he is one to watch for now. I Need A Hero won a point-to-point on good to yielding ground and will appreciate this return to a longer trip after being thrashed in a Catterick bumper, so the market should be watched for clues, but the one to beat is Meridian City. Howard Johnson's charge has won three of his seven starts, has trip and ground in his favour, and goes well when fresh. There is plenty going for him today and he should not be opposed.
Meridian City (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, chased winner approaching and not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Deer Fin (IRE) 250-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Tara Royal (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Eighteen Carat (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, blundered 5th, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Gus Macrae (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) sft.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 39l behind Tara Royal (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
I Need A Hero (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Carpincho (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Oscar Honey (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway into mid-division halfway, mistake 4 out, outpaced when not much room on inside approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Mcmurrough (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Plaisir De Montot (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 16, 37l behind Fairynuff (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Ravensbill (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hazeldene (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Return Perk (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, towards rear in 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Edge Of Town (11-2) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Rubipresent (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 13, 21l behind Final Day (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Fearless Footsteps 66-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened from 4f out, 13th of 14, 41l behind Portway Girl (9-13) at Kelso 2m mrs N H flat (5) sft in Feb.
Hathamore 150-1 (10-5) Chased leader, hit 4th, reminders approaching 6th, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Aibrean (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Its Bobkat (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 7f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Wyse Hill Teabags (11-4) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) gd.
