chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd after 3 out, weakened from 2 out
behind and pushed along, mistake 8th, headway after 3 out, soon driven, ran on well from last
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
chased leaders until ridden and weakened from 3 out
behind, reminders 7th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened from next
always behind, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th, tailed off approaching 2 out
prominent, took closer order after 5th, mistake and quickly weakened 8th
held up, driven and behind from 7th
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 8th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat
held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, soon behind
held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, driven along after 7th, headway 2 out, kept on and no impression
Minivet can return to winning ways, with Tee-Jay and Grey Abbey likely to give him most to do. This has the making of a fairly competitive handicap, but Minivet shaped well enough at Haydock in November to suggest that he is on a handy enough mark. That was his first outing over timber since May but he has been kept busy on the Flat in between, and was in action on the all-weather at Southwell in January, so will be fit enough. Tim Easterby's nine-year-old is not as good as he was, but has a great chance of adding to last year's Kelso success, especially if the ground dries up a bit. Tee-Jay did not take to fences but has picked up a couple of wins back over hurdles, on both occasions bringing his turn of foot into play. He got bogged down at Wetherby last time and is another that will appreciate less demanding conditions. Grey Abbey is much better known as a chaser, and had his first outing for a year in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham two weeks ago, finishing last of six. Although set to go back over the bigger obstacles, he is very well treated over timber and if fit enough, can take a hand. True North is paying the penalty for some decent efforts last term, while Look To The Future has shaped well enough since joining Sue Smith from Charlie Mann, and should act on this track. It is not a race to get heavily involved in with so many ifs and buts, so a small stake only is advised on Minivet.
