held up in mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, led approaching 2 out, driven and hung left flat, just held on, all out
in touch, effort and ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up and behind, headway going well from 2 out, stayed on well flat, never reach leaders
in touch, every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened
behind, good headway 10th, ridden and losing place when mistake 2 out
behind, lost touch and tailed off from 13th
mid-division, behind from 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, narrow lead 13th to 4 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
effort to chase winner approaching 2 out, not quicken flat
held up and behind, steady headway from 4 out, effort to chase winner approaching last, hampered and switched right flat, strong run final 100 yards, just failed
tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th, led narrowly 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
always behind, tailed off from 13th
led, blundered 10th, headed 13th, weakened rapidly
in mid-division when hampered and mistake 8th, lost touch quickly, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
This may not be as competitive as the numbers suggest with the bottom four in the handicap all racing from out of the weights proper, although one of them, Halexy, is only 7lbs higher than when scoring at the Open meeting in November. Martin Pipe sets a poser by saddling four, Lady Cricket, Blowing Wind, Akarus and Hours, with slight preference for the first mentioned. The mare is a consistent performer and has not been out of the first two in her last five starts, a run that has seen her rise in the handicap. However, she still looks better treated than her stablemate Hours, who now seems in the grip of the handicapper off the same mark as when fourth to Historg over further here last time. The Paul Nicholls-trained Poliantas ran well for much of the way before being outclassed behind Edredon Bleu in the John Bull Chase at Wincanton last time. This is no easier for the six-year-old though and others are preferred. Ferdy Murphy's Ballinclay King showed improved form when beating Katarino by six lengths (value for further) over course and distance on New Year's Day and has to be respected even off a 12lb higher mark. He should again get the better of Nicky Henderson's gelding but he might not beat another Henderson inmate, namely Hermes III. The French-bred gelding, twice a winner in novice hurdle company last term, was an impressive winner on his chasing debut when beating Mr Baxter Basics by 16 lengths at Sandown last month. The handicapper has raised him 10lbs for that success but, with more improvement to come, that might not be enough to stop him following up.
