chased leaders, reminders and lost place approaching 11th
chased leaders, ridden after 13th, hampered 16th, weakened from 4 out
held up, headway after 15th, went 2nd at 17th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, edged left approaching last, ridden out
prominent, lost place when hampered 16th, outpaced approaching 4 out, kept on and no impression from 2 out
with leaders, mistake 12th, led 15th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace
led to 4th, remained close up in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 16th
behind, mistake 2nd, struggling after 11th
with leaders, led 4th, headed 15th, blundered next, weakened 4 out
with leaders, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 16th, pulled up before 18th
held up in rear, ridden along approaching 16th, never dangerous
A tough race to call here for punters with many in with chances on their best form but there principals look to be Legatus, Toulouse-Lautrec, Shady Lad and Coursing Run and the tentative vote is given to the last named. The selection is from the Henry Daley yard which is beginning to find his form. He has dropped to a handy mark and with this faster ground sure to suit he looks a value bet in an open affair. Legatus rates the main danger on his latest second behind Monty's Double as that form has since been franked but he is not proven over a trip as far as this and for that reason he is opposed. Toulouse-Lautrec would be a big danger on his best form but he was very disappointing last time out for no apparent reason so he can not be put forward with any confidence although the step up in trip could help.Shady Lad is an Irish raider that was a good second last time out and he represents a shrewd stable so he should be closely watched in the market. Of the remainder Auburn Spirit has dropped to a handy mark and is another that could well as at least he has won over this distance but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to the well handicapped Coursing Run.
Coursing Run (IRE) 13-2 Held up, ridden along 10th, led briefly 3 out, one pace last, 2nd of 8, 4l behind El Hombre Del Rio at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Jan.
Auburn Spirit 14-1 Chased leaders, weakened 15th, soon well behind, 8th of 9, well behind Longshanks at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jan.
Harlov (FR) 11-4 Held up, hit 11th, ridden and chased leaders after 14th, gradually weakened from 3 out, 4th of 5, 17l behind Falchion at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Legatus (IRE) 13-2 Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, pushed along after 13th, led 16th to 17th, ridden after 3 out, jumped left last, kept on flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Monty's Double at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.
The Lyme Volunteer (IRE) 13-2 Behind, mistake 2nd, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, left poor third last, 3rd of 9, 42l behind Kittenkat at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.
Autumn Mist (IRE) 10-3 Raced prominently, narrowly headed 2 out, switched right and rallied under pressure flat, just held, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Surefast at Plumpton 3m 2f chs (F) sft in Jan.
Shady Lad (IRE) 1-1 2nd of 8, 2l behind Lord Of The Turf at Kilfeacle 3m ptp sft in Jan.
Toulouse-Lautrec (IRE) 5-2fav In touch, headway after 13th, hit 14th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 27l behind Monty's Double at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.
