chased leaders until 10th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 5 out
prominent, ridden after 13th, stayed pressing leaders until 2 out, weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, nudged along approaching 5 out, switched right approaching 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, ridden out
This looks a good opportunity for THEATRE DANCE who can get the better of Mark The Book and Jaunty Journey. David Arbuthnot's 8-year-old arrives here in good form and he wasn't beaten far at Exeter last time when he chased home Koranti Kid. He looks a winner waiting to happen and he rates as a confident choice. Mark The Book chased home Quickbeam last time, but the form was let down on Thursday when Quickbeam got turned over at a short price. Jaunty Journey would have finished a lot closer to Tarablaze last time had he not made a bad mistake, and if he can jump more fluently here then he would have to enter calculations. Bertie May has failed to complete on his last two starts so he has questions to answer at present, and we will stick with Theatre Dance who should take plenty of stopping.
Bertie May 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened after 7th and pulled up in race won by Fair Point (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Jaunty Journey 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, ridden approaching next, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Tarablaze (11-9) at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Mark The Book (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased winner, mistake 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 8, 30l behind Quickbeam (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 12th, ridden after 13th, stayed on to go 2nd from after 14th, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Kornati Kid (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) sft in Dec.