led and raced keen, headed 3rd, left in lead next, headed approaching last, one pace
always behind
held up, weakened 5th, pulled up 2 out
held up, ridden approaching 6th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last
prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, soon clear
in touch, mistakes, ridden 3 out, one pace next
prominent, led 3rd, unseated rider next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace next
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
Yet another maximum field for us to consider and with Whisky Magic unlikely to be value it might be worth chancing debutante KARMEST to come home in front. Trainer Alan Brown has his string in decent nick and this mare is well suited by good to soft on the flat and also the Fibresand, so she should handle today's conditions. She is fit from the a winter campaign on the artificial surfaces and as a winner over 1m 4f on the flat she should stay this far. Clearly we are taking a chance on her jumping abilities and also whether she can translate her flat form to this sphere, but if she does then she would appear to have every chance and we will give her the nomination. Stablemate Welcome Cat looks to have a bit to find with the selection, but Hightori is another interesting runner here. Sue Smith's charge has not been seen since his second run, where he shaped with promise at Wetherby in June 2006. Connections clearly feel he has been worth persevering with and he is one to note here, though after such a lengthy lay-off he could be forgiven for needing the run. Whisky Magic likes to get his toe in was a winner over a similar trip at Market Rasen in November. The resulting penalty helped to see him beaten on heavy ground last time but now on good to soft the might find it a bit easier and will be no pushover. Sparrow Hills won over two miles but there may be chance of improvement now stepped up to this trip for the first-time and he is not dismissed readily. Prince Of Gdansk will relish conditions and pedigree suggests that this longer trip will be a positive, so watch the market for clues where he is concerned, but we will suggest Karmest.
Whisky Magic (FR) 6-4fav (11-11) Not fluent, led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 16, 15l behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Chavez (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up, never on terms, 12th of 16, 48l behind Shut The Bar (10-0) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Fell Pack 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, blundered 2 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Finbin (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Minella Theatre (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Flag Hill 150-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hightori 9-1 (11-0) Led, edged right approaching 5th, hard pressed 3 out, mistake next, soon headed, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Mr Strachan (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun '06.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Quwetwo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Prince of Gdansk (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, led after 3 out, headed and hung left before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 21, 27l behind Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Sparrow Hills (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Made most until headed 4 out, wandered approaching 3 out, kept on, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 16, 9l behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Welcome Cat (USA) 28-1 (10-2) Raced wide, held up, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 25l behind Sabancaya (10-7) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan (Flat).
What's Occurrin 66-1 (11-1) In rear, headway 6f out, weakened final 2f, 8th of 16, 41l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Flutina 40-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 12, 26l behind Little Lu (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Karmest 8-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 3f out, driven and kept on to go 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Riguez Dancer (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs (Flat).
Treeko (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Led to 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 16l behind Higgy's Boy (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Maude Gonne (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Towards rear, some headway to 8th 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 5l behind Viking Fire (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 pol in Nov '07 (Flat).
