mid-division, weakened 5 out
held up in rear, hard ridden 4 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon led, headed last, switched right and rallied, kept on under pressure to lead close home
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, switched right to challenge after last, weakened flat
led, clear 6th, driven 3out, headed after next, weakened last
always behind, tailed off 6th, soon pulled up
held up in rear, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, led last, edged left, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out
tracked leader, weakened approaching 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Alan Parker's Super Ally is less exposed than his rivals after just four starts and has to be considered on his handicap debut off what seems a decent mark but he needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge and a better bet looks to be NEWMAN DES PLAGES, who gets the vote ahead of I'm Your Man. Evelyn Slack's gelding won well at Sedgefield in January and has claims on that form having been below par over fences since then but he is 8lbs higher than at Sedgefield and may have to settle for minor honours. Micky Hammond's Calfraz is capable but has been well held in his last two starts and may be best watched, while Pay On probably needs some help from the handicapper and of more interest may be Deep Squeeze. Lucinda Russell's gelding is lightly raced after just five outings and looks to be going the right way having been narrowly beaten in his last two starts so he has to be strongly considered off what seems a fair mark but preference is for Newman Des Plages. Martin Todhunter's gelding has shown improved form of late with some decent efforts in defeat since winning here in November and he looks worth siding with to resume winning ways today.
Newman Des Plages (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Ran in snatches, disputing last 6th, rallied before 11th, oupaced approaching next, modest 7th 3 out, went 3rd before last, ran on well flat, 3rd of 12, 2l behind The Shy Man (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Calfraz 16-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 8l behind Ballyvesey (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Bollin Fiona 9-1 (10-11) In rear, mistake 1st, detached approaching 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off 2 out, 7th of 11, well behind Overbranch (10-4) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Deep Squeeze (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Held up, not fluent, headway 5th, chased winner before next, hard ridden when hit last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sargentos (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar '09.
I'm Your Man 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, 38l behind Canada Street (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Border Graduate (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, some headway from before straight, no danger, 8th of 17, well behind Lyical Assassin (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl fm in Jun '08.
Super Ally (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 10, 12l behind Cunning Clarets (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Pay On (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake and ridden 6th, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 14, 30l behind Barron Watlass (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Amjad 25-1 (10-2) Always behind, 11th of 14, well behind Quay Meadow (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Nobel (FR) 80-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway before 6th, not fluent and lost place next, soon behind, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Mister Pete (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Quick Man (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
