in touch, ridden 4 out, driven and no extra from 2 out
made most, jumped well, drew clear from 2 out
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 6 out
in touch, effort 3 out, driven and weakened from next
in rear and keen, outpaced halfway, soon tailed off
held up, fell 4th
This appears to be a match between PSYCHOMODO and Auroras Encore, while Storymaker appeals as the one most likely to capitalise if their jumping fails to hold up. Storymaker has a good deal to find on the evidence available, though. So he cannot be forwarded as anything other than a 'hit and hope' option. Auroras Encore made two sloppy mistakes and paid the penalty when he tipped up behind the selection at Doncaster last month. His early departure took the competitive edge out of that race and the form may prove to be unreliable. However, Psychomodo was in need of the run at Town Moor and, even though he was eventually well beaten second of the two finishers, the outing will have done him the power of good. Brendan Powell's charge also looks the more accomplished jumper and is taken to get a confidence booster under his belt today.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up when fell at the 6th in race won by Lightning Strike (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
Psychomodo 5-2 (11-4) Led, mistake and headed 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, well behind Lightning Strike (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Autumngold (IRE) (12-0) 7th of 12, 28l behind Captain Machell (12-0) at Clonmel Points 3m ire ptp gd in May '04.
Kempski 10-1 (11-2) Led to 6th, soon pushed along, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Lie Forrit (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 14 ran.
Storymaker 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 5th and in touch when blundered 9th, did not recover, 9th of 12, well behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Pistol Basc (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders and fell at the 3rd in race won by Cromwell Court (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Almond Court (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Divers (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.