Unbeaten in bumpers and successful in three of his five starts over timber, I’M TO BLAME made a very promising start to his chasing career when second here in a novices’ handicap. He is still pulling hard but that experience will stand him in good stead against chasing debutant Glinger Flame, who has only won so far at Hexham and returns from a break. Ard Chros was tailed off when he fell at Wetherby and Mandarin Princess is 0-21 in career starts and has never looked like winning.
Ard Chros (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked winner, not fluent 4th and 6th, lost 2nd 10th, 2nd again after 15th, every chance when blundered badly 4 out, pulled up after next, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) With leader, not fluent 2nd, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Mandarin Princess 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on outside 4th, hit next, lot place before 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 25 3/4l behind Head Lad (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Glinger Flame (IRE) 1-12fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led narrowly after 6th, clear 2 out, driven when edged left approaching last, ridden out towards finish, always doing enough, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in May beating Lord Roccoco (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
