always in rear, lost touch 6th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, closer order 6th, jumped right 7th, headway 3 out, hung left approaching last and rallied flat
tracked leaders, led 4 out, joined when fell 2 out
held up, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, mistake 7th, weakened next
held up and keen, headway 4 out, left in lead after 2 out, hung right, jumped left last,and soon headed, ran green
tracked leaders, ridden when slightly hampered 2 out, led soon after last and edged left, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching last
led, ridden 4 out and soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders and mistake 1st, slow 5th, weakened 4 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, plugged on
held up, lost touch approaching 4 out
Something of a quandary with the well touted Tino Tino in the line-up; he was an expensive failure at Sandown and the percentage call is to oppose him until he proves his effectiveness on these shores. A tentative vote goes the way of Joe Brown ahead of Stradbrook and Shoudawouldacouda. Stradbrook beat a modest bunch in good style last time and could be progressive but will need to be to follow up in a more competitive race. Shoudawoudacouda has strong form claims and his yard has shown signs of a return to form but have gone a month without a winner. Cava Bien and Sky Mack have questions to answer as does Snow Patrol who has failed to take to chasing. Just Amazing has to be feared but his mark for his handicap bow looks fair at best. The selection had been off the track since 2006 prior to his win last month and could bounce but he's been given an ample break. An 8lb rise isn't exactly lenient but he appeared to win with something to spare and Joe Brown is taken to follow up.
Cava Bien 25-1 (10-1) Always behind, 8th of 11, 47l behind Hoh Viss (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Sky Mack (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leader until weakened quickly approaching 3 out, last of 14, well behind Lothian Falcon (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Snow Patrol 9-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Stradbrook (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, smooth headway 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, soon clear, won at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating At The Money (11-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Always prominent, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, headed last stride, 2nd of 11, hd behind Hoh Viss (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Just Amazing (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating So Wise So Young (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pocket Too 11-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 27l behind Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Joe Brown 7-1 (11-3) Made all, ridden 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Irish Legend (11-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Tino Tino (FR) 2-1fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Five Dream (10-6) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Prelude d'Estruval (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Led, headed 3 out, weakening when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Coe (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Always prominent, ridden 3 out, hit last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Tarateeno 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 17, 29l behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Nick's Choice 20-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden and lost place 5th, soon behind, 9th of 11, 40l behind Cockatoo (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
