towards rear, ridden approaching 11th, in 5th and no impression when not fluent 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well
held up in touch, blundered 9th, one pace 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
held up in touch, effort 2 out, one pace from last
held up behind, weakened approaching 11th, pulled up after 3 out
held up, unseated rider 1st
Pret A Thou was given a terrific ride last time under experienced pilot Mark Bradbourne and with his less-experienced jockey on top today he is taken on with CADOUDALAS ahead of Oscar Jack and Whitewater Dash. The selection has been off the track for three months since he was a beaten favourite at Carlisle. He only has the one win to his name but he has some very solid runs under his belt, not least when he was beaten in bumpers behind I'msingingtheblues and Killyglen. His sole success came on similar ground to today's and it may just be that his recent efforts at Carlisle have been stretching his stamina. At this easier track and off a revised mark of 111, a big run looks assured. Oscar Jack's defeat of Baseball Ted looked good form at the time but it has now started to fall apart and it remains to be seen how well-treated he is on this mark of 107. Or D'Oudaires makes his handicap bow over fences today and probably needs to improve for the step back up in trip, Ragador's novice runs have been in good company and he should be happier on this ground, however it is interesting that connections decide to put a claimer up, whilst Supremely Gifted is one to watch in the betting coming back from two years off. Course and distance winner Whitewater Dash should be high on any shortlist back at the scene of his sole win; however in a complex race a chance is taken on Cadoudalas.
Ragador 18-1 (10-6) Held up, weakening when hit 3 out, 6th of 11, 31l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Soon behind, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 34l behind Kingham (10-12) at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
Cadoudalas (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 12, 17l behind Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Pret A Thou (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-0) Made all, mistake and challenged 2 out, ran on again towards last, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (4) sft beating Shake The Barley (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Oscar Jack (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Jumped slowly throughout, held up, headway approaching 10th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Kedgeree 7-1 (11-7) Mistake 4th, always in rear, no chance when mistakes 3 out and 2 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Whitewater Dash 7-2 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 10th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 37l behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, 2nd when hit 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased and pulled up 2 out in race won by Youngstown (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 19 ran.
Supremely Gifted (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, jumped slowly 5th, led after 4 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, 2nd of 10, 28l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '06.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Bally Conn (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
