raced wide in touch, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
in touch in rear, pushed along 4 out, never on terms, tailed off
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, not fluent next, headed run in, just held on to 2nd
in touch, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, ridden 2 out, keeping on same pace when not fluent last
held up, headway 3 out, chased leader 2 out, led run in, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, lost place 4th soon in rear, behind 2 out, tailed off
close up, pushed along 4 out, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to press for 2nd towards finish
Barnay won this last year when 3lb higher. He’s placed a couple of times over fences this season so a repeat is not out of the question. Cellar Vie came good at Ayr and is only 4lb higher but STEADY THE SHIP is probably another with untapped potential and he is eased in grade and the weights. Monsieur Pom Pom has finished second twice in small fields at Catterick but improvement is required stepping into handicap company.
Steady The Ship (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Raced in mid-division, under pressure and ridden before 3 out, kept on at 2 out, outpaced after final hurdle, 5th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Earth Business (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Fathers Advice (IRE) 125-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, headway went modest 4th 3 out, never involved, 4th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Limetree Boy (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Cellar Vie 7-2 (10-9) Jumped right throughout, made all, soon clear, hung right on bend going out on last circuit, reduced lead 4 out, brought to near side rail in home straight, looked strongly pressed last, found extra and in command towards finish, won at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Fame Valley (11-1) by 1l, 5 ran.
Barnay 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch after 4 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 19 1/2l behind Flexi Furlough (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Lusitanien (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from last for 5th, 5th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Branson Missouri (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Old Jewry (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Towards rear, never on terms, 6th of 10, 29 3/4l behind Myburg (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Jess's Corner (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, closed before 2nd, led 5th, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 20 3/4l behind The Steward (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Pistol (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Mid division, pushed along from 5th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Shoughall's Boy (10-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Monsieur Pom Pom (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leader after 1st, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, soon lost 2nd and pushed along, went 2nd again before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Collingham (11-5) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Feb.
