tracked leaders, led briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, no extra after 2 out
tracked leader, left in lead 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led 2 out, ran on strongly
held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, kept on one pace from next
led, fell 5th
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort and chance approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, soon one pace
Fishki's Lad and Maraud form our tentatively-assembled shortlist, with Maraud getting the vote. Running through the field. Romil Star has been raised eight pounds for a recent Perth win. He seemed not to see out three miles at Aintree the time before that win - which came over two-and-three-quarter miles - so it will be interesting to see how he goes. Fishki's Lad has claims seeing that he is only four pounds higher in the ratings than for his October Haydock win. However, both he and End Of An Error finished well behind Maraud at Carlisle in October. That win was achieved from a 5-pounds lower mark than today so he has to be competitive if back in that groove. Both End Of An Error and Fishki's Lad have won since so come here in probably better heart than on that inauspicious Cumbrian day. Haystacks is rated five pounds higher than for his seasonal return win at Cartmel, while Suggest has won from higher marks than he races off today, but that was three years ago. This leaves us with the in-form Sue Smith's Cardinal Mark. He has been running over chases more recently, and although he has won over fences and hurdles in Ireland, lack of a recent run is at least one factor that counts against him. Overall, then for us it's Maraud, who is the only course winner - and that success came in this race last year - in the line-up.
