tracked leaders, weakened approaching 10th
held up in mid-division, quickly pulled up before 8th
in rear, steady headway from 5 out, went 4th approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in mid-division, weakened from 10th
tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
led, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, weakened from 9th, reminders approaching 11th, fell next
held up towards rear, some headway when pecked 9th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 4 out, hit next, no impression
A high quality beginners chase and MR WOODS could steal this from the front with Middleton Dene and Calin Royal very real dangers. Sticky jumping has proved an achilles heel though he has gone well at this course in the past so if the Cumbrian air has anything to do with it, he might just be able to put a reasonable run together. Middleton Dene has been a disappointment over chase fences. His chances rely on staying on the bridle as long as is possible. Calin Royal faced a tough assignment at Wetherby in Graded company and was soon found wanting. This seems a more realistic target. Political Paddy was also beaten at that track at this distance. They weren't hanging about on that occasion and more joy may be gleaned at this level as they are unlikely to be bounding away quite so quickly. More Equity gets the mares allowance. Better ground would probably have aided her claims to this prize. A good race despite one or two of these having questions to answer and Mr Woods rates our call.
Art Bank 66-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, left in lead 11th, headed after 5 out, weakening when blundered 3 out, 5th of 11, well behind Silver Dollars (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Calin Royal (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Disputed lead until mistake 5th, chased leader, lost place 12th, soon struggling, beaten 4th when fell last, in a race won by Weird Al (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb, 4 ran.
Isla Pearl Fisher 40-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, mistakes throughout, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 45l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-0) at Kelso 3m 1f beg chase (4) sft in Feb.
Marlborough Sound 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Nov '08 beating Liberty Seeker (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden, headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Riguez Dancer (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) hvy in Feb.
Mr Woods 7-2 (10-5) Tracked winner and jumped right throughout, blundered 5th, weakening in 4th when jumped right, blundered badly and unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Gansey (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Oh Yah Dancer (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Slowly away, held up well in rear, not fluent 8th, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 47l behind Mister Pete (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Political Paddy 11-2fav (10-10) Held up, weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 24l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
More Equity 25-1 (10-9) In rear, pushed along after 6th, ridden 8th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 15, 20l behind Tarabaloo (11-1) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
