always towards rear
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, left poor 3rd last
led to after 1st, prominent to 4 out, weakened quickly
chased leader, led after 1st to after 3rd, weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division to 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, 3rd when badly hampered and unseated rider last
hampered after 3rd, always behind
behind, slipped up bend after 3rd
prominent blundered 4th, weakened quickly
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, no chance when hampered last
soon chasing leaders, led after 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, 2nd and 10 lengths down when fell last
in touch to 6th, soon weakened
mid-divison, hit 3rd, headway 4th, lead approaching 2 out, left well clear last, comfortably
behind, headway 4 out, ridden after next, left poor 2nd last
A competitive handicap with Dream Castle, Karathaena and Goss all holding formbook chances and our selection is Dream Castle. Barry Potts' raids across the Irish Sea have yielded plenty of winners and he could strike here with the eleven-year-old. A pillar to post victor at Listowel, he will be difficult to beat if similar tactics are employed here. Karathaena's career has been blighted by wind trouble but the operations appeared to work the oracle at Market Rasen. A useful novice in her day, the market is watched over this shorter trip. Goss is sure to be popular with the punters. He has ability but doesn't always assist his riders through pulling too hard in the initial stages. Ela Re is another to watch at the start of the race. He had to be withdrawn last week after problems at the start and is another who should race up with the pace. Prairie Sun hails from a yard in some assemblance of form and is watched in the market in case of any positive vibes. Kim's Pearl has done most of her winning on a faster surface and is upped in grade. Cutthroat was disappointing last year while Flame Phoenix has course and distance form. Plenty of chances in the opener but we shall side with Dream Castle to land first prize in the opener.
Its Crucial (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) With leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 46l behind Kid'z'play (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Apr.
Flame Phoenix (USA) 15-2 (10-9) Behind, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Kingkohler (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Sept.
Goss 13-2 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 16l behind Karathaena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Dream Castle (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led and clear, reduced lead from 5 out, ridden clear again from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Listowel 2m hdl gd in Sept beating Ballintry Guest (10-13) by 3l, 16 ran.
Karathaena (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd beating Kingkohler (11-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
Twist 'N Shout 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 4th from 5th, slight mistake 7th, closer order in 3rd 4 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind John James (11-12) at Tramore 2m 4f chs gd in Mar.
A Bit of Fun 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden briefly after 4th, led 6th, headed 2 out, led again briefly when stumbled and fell 3 out in race won by Mister Moussac (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept, 11 ran.
Why The Long Face (NZ) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, 36l behind Karathaena (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Cutthroat 10-3fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 16l behind Foodbroker Founder (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Kims Pearl (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Led taking keen hold, ridden and headed when jumped left 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on flat, 4th of 5, 2l behind Burundi (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Aug.
Buffalo Bill (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, chased winner 5th, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Mister Moussac (10-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept.
Ela Re 11-4fav (11-5) Made all, soon clear, shaken up approaching last, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gd in Aug beating Staff Nurse (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fortune Point (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leader to 3rd, soon pushed along, behind when hit 4 out, tailed off 2 out, 5th of 7, 37l behind Garde Bien (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) gd in Nov.
Prairie Sun (GER) 7-2fav (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Wise Tale (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept.
Secret's Out 25-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Sept.
