led until 5th, pressed leader, fell 12th
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place 10th, mistake next, soon behind, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 10th, went 2nd 4 out until 2 out, no extra flat
with leader, led 5th, clear after 4 out, stayed on well
chased leaders on outside, steadied 5th, headway when not fluent 12th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, hampered 12th, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on inside, lost place after 8th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
Cloudy Joker produced a faultless round of fencing here last time which made the difference between victory and defeat. A winner here the last twice, an 8lb rise for those successes is fair and he seems sure to adopt his usual bold front-running tactics and could have many of these on the stretch at an early stage. However, THE COBBLER SWAYNE is an improving Lucinda Russell chaser who shaped well on all three starts before Christmas and has clearly been awaiting the emergence of better ground. Hopefully he'll be ready to roll and is taken to sustain his upward curve. Strongly Suggested would be of interest if returning to something like his best and Rear Admiral and Ballydague Lady would also not surprise if taking a hand.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) With leaders, led after 4th, made rest, clear before 4 out, ridden after 2 out, 5 lengths advantage last, held on towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Uno Valoroso (10-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Strongly Suggested 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4th, weakened 8th, behind from 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Arthur's Oak (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
The Cobbler Swayne (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, hampered 6th, headway 8th, left 2nd 4 out, mistake 3 out, blundered last, lost 2nd and one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Lord Landen (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Raktiman (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in until close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Stilletto (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in 4th, tracked front pair 11th, chased winner after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Cloudy Joker (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Special Wells 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 6 out, soon hampered by loose horse, blundered 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Throthethatch (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ballydague Lady (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Chased leaders, mistake 5 out, ridden to challenge after 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Kassis (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
