mid-division on inside, headway 12th, outpaced 15th, 8th and hard driven 3 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
in touch, blundered 13th, not recover and soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
in touch on inside, outpaced 4 out, 10th when mistake next, weakened from 2 out
mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind
in rear, mistake 11th, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leader to 4th, remained in touch, not fluent 15th, outpaced 4 out, headway next, effort and every chance on outside 2 out, ridden to chase leading pair flat, held when edged left towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression
towards rear, struggling 13th, never dangerous
mid-division on outside, lost place when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
led, driven after 3 out, ridden next, headed flat, kept on
mid-division on outside, headway 14th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until one pace flat
tracked leaders, ridden and effort on inside approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression flat
always behind, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 14th
mid-division, 9th and ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, effort next, stayed on under pressure to lead flat
mid-division, not fluent 6th, lost place when mistake 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never near leaders
in touch, pressed leader from 4th, mistake 13th and 3 out, soon lost place, weakened before last
chased leaders, lost place halfway, soon behind
Probably not the most competitive handicap of the week and recent ante-post support for THE PACKAGE is highly significant. He's been absent for a long time but was just beaten off a 2lb higher mark in this two years ago and David Pipe is certainly capable of getting his charges ready at home. The nine-year-old gets the vote though Hold On Julio should be a tough opponent having won all three starts over fences under Rules, though he was put up 15lb after beating Neptune Collonges by nine lengths at Sandown. Quantitativeeasing may have too much weight however and, like novice Our Mick and Ascot second Tullamore Dew, is arguably better over shorter trips while Zarrafakt needs to improve again on his victory at Wincanton. Fruity O'Rooney ran a fine race at Doncaster last time, despite a slipping saddle, and could reward each-way support and a case can also be made for Billie Magern if he's on his best behaviour as he certainly knows his way around here.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair after next, ran on well flat, stayed on between rivals to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec beating Medermit (11-5) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Noland 8-1 (11-10) Chased leader until 8th, chased leaders, mistake 4 out, 4th and under pressure when blundered badly 3 out, weakened, not recover, 6th of 14, 32l behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Hold On Julio (IRE) 5-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, hit 6th and next, reminders before 13th, headway to close 4th when blundered 4 out, travelling well before next, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, easily, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Neptune Collonges (11-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Mon Mome (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, tailed off when pulled up after 13th, in a race won by Giles Cross (10-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Held up in rear, headway from 14th, went 2nd 16th, led going well approaching 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Aldertune (11-3) by 12l, 12 ran.
Our Mick 9-2 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 9th, not fluent 12th, went 2nd 4 out until not fluent 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 3l behind For Non Stop (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gs in Feb.
Magnanimity (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, a little slow 2nd, squeezed along 6th, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, soon 3rd, no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Chased leading trio, went 3rd 12th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd just before 2 out, stayed on well from last, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 12, hd behind Massini's Maguire (10-13) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) gs in Feb.
Mossley (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 7th or 9th, lost place 11th, soon behind and pulled up, in a race won by For Non Stop (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Fruity O'Rooney 22-1 (11-0) Prominent, led before 8th, headed next, saddle slipped after 12th, led again before 4 out, headed approaching when blundered last, faded, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Calgary Bay (11-11) at Doncaster 3m Listed Handicap Chase (0-155) (5yo+) (1) gs in Jan.
The Package 6-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway to mid divsion 9th, not fluent 11th, hampeered next, headway 14th, chased leading trio before 4 out, no extra after next, 5th of 14, 29l behind Meanus Dandy (9-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov '10.
Billie Magern 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 3rd, mid-division, reminders after 7th, soon behind, outpaced 5 out, headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 10, 21l behind The Giant Bolster (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 10th, went 5th before 12th, went 4th 4 out, soon driven, no chance with leading trio, weakened to 5th closing stages, 5th of 10, 28l behind Nacarat (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair but in touch, headway 14th, travelling well in close 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Invictus (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Alfie Sherrin 33-1 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along and headway before 8th, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 19, 27l behind Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Bottman (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division on inside, driven when hampered 4 out, chased leaders under pressure next, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 5th of 16, 6l behind Bless The Wings (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Jan.
Riguez Dancer 9-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, in 7th and well held when blundered badly and fell 2 out, in a race won by Tartan Snow (10-2) at Kelso 2m 6f Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Pentiffic (NZ) 12-1 (9-9) With leader, led 5th, clear before 14th, tiring and lead diminishing when about 3 lengths up when fell last, in a race won by Ikorodu Road (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd, 6 ran.
Runshan (IRE) 9-2fav (9-11) Led until 11th, led 15th until 17th, clear with one rival 4 out, ridden and being closed down before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 13l behind Mostly Bob (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
