tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 6th, mistake 7th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened next
led, hit 4th, reminder and headed 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, led approaching next, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased winnner approaching 3 out, not quicken flat
held up towards rear, outpaced 7th, headway 3 out, kept on, no impression
in rear, hit 7th, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, kept on
A competitive race which could see DREVER ROUTE get the better of Desperate Dex and Carrietau. Carrietau is 3lbs worse off with the selection on their course and distance running towards the end of last month and there should be little to choose between the pair again with Carrietau sure to appreciate the drop back in trip. However, marginal preference is for the Johnson runner who has only had three starts over fences and could find the necessary improvement to reverse the form. Desperate Dex is now 18lbs higher than when successful on his seasonal reappearance but he has run well from higher marks than this in the past and has to be respected as he bids for a hat-trick. Jim Tango is capable on his day so can't be ignored although stronger claims are held by I'm Your Man who has been in fine form this winter and should have a say again. He may just be a shade high in the weights now though so preference is for Drever Route.
Jim Tango (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Jumped left, led until 3rd, chased winner until approaching 7th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Fighting Chance (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Carrietau 6-1 (10-9) Led, clear after 4th until 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 17l behind Lease Lend (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Drever Route (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Behind, struggling 6th, headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd last, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Carrietau (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Ormus 28-1 (11-7) Towards rear when fell 2nd, in a race won by Silver Dollars (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
I'm Your Man 8-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 6th, headed 10th, regained lead approaching 3 out, headed last, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Storm Surge (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Led until approaching 4th, led again 5th, headed approaching 5 out, quickly weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Fred Bojangals (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Tranos (USA) 28-1 (10-6) In rear, blundered 5th, weakening when hampered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Carrietau (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up, headway on outside 9th, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Lerida (10-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
