held up in mid-division,chased leaders from 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 3rd, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, hit 2 out, kept on well from last, driven out
in rear, headway 4 out,chased winner 2 out and driven, no extra flat
with leader when left in lead 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
led until fell 3rd
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
held up in touch, chased leaders 4th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner last, kept on flat, always held
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, weakened 6th
With Son Of Flicka, Black Coffee and Mohayer seemingly better with cut in the ground the way looks clear for DEAN'S GRANGE to go in again in this closing contest. Colin Tizzard's charge won nicely last time, in the process accounting for a 132-rated rival. A bare reading of the form would therefore make him look a certainty off just 118 but caution is advised as the horse he beat, Cois Farraig, did not have his conditions. However, the third placed horse has since landed a maiden hurdle so the form looks strong and he's got his conditions here so a big run looks very likely. Mohayer ran well enough off 3lbs higher last time to merit consideration, especially as that Newbury contest was probably a shade more competitive than this. However, throughout a 31-race career he's never once threatened to win on genuine good ground so conditions have to be a major concern. Similar doubts surround Black Coffee, a horse who should appreciate this drop in class but whose best form has come on markedly slower ground. Likewise Son Of Flicka would appear to hold sound enough claims as a course and distance winner but he struggled off this sort of mark last time and may be a shade high in the weights. Mickmacmagoole has his conditions but looks handicapped out of winning whilst Charlie Yardbird has been off for over a year and the fact that Richard Johnson rides Dancewiththedevil looks a pointer in itself. Craig Roberts' horse has claims as he goes well fresh and likes quick ground so watch the market with regards his chance, but without that guide we're happy to have Dean's Grange on our side.
Charlie Yardbird (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Led, mistake 2nd, joined when fell 3 out, in a race won by Brave Betsy (11-4) at Navan 2m hdl sft in Feb '09, 5 ran.
Son Of Flicka 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden and effort 3 out, disputed 3rd when jumped left next, one pace approaching last, 6th of 9, 21l behind Benny Be Good (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Mar.
Mohayer (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 13l behind County Zen (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Karky Schultz (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, hampered 7th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 13l behind Miss Ladybird (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Black Coffee 11-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 14th of 21, 29l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-12) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway soon after 2 out, weakened under pressure before last, 10th of 16, 16l behind Arctic Magic (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (2) sft in Jan.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, struggling after 3 out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Tritonville Lodge (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before next, went 2nd before last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Aather (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Dean's Grange 5-1 (11-0) Close up on inner, chased leaders 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, in command before last, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd beating Cois Farraig (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
