led and set steady pace, headed briefly 6th, ridden 4 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden from 7th, kept on one pace
in touch, led briefly 6th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, hit 2 out, led approaching last, ran on gamely
in touch, ridden and weakened 7th
held up and keen, headway 5th, wandered approaching 3 out, mistake and stumbled, led under pressure 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat
keen and always behind, behind when pulled up before 3 out
in rear and keen, driven 5th, tailed off after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders and fell 1st
always prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, switched left to chase leaders 2 out, ran on, held by winner
Course and distance winner Michael Muck can bounce back to form and win this at the expense of What A Scientist and Dark Corner. The selection is proven on the soft ground when scoring around here in the past. He was beaten by a better horse in Only For Sue at the same track over a shorter trip looking as though he needed further and was not totally discredited at Cheltenham last time out. back in this grade he is the one they all have to beat. What A Scientist carries a penalty for his latest win at Towcester which will make this tougher. He looks the type to progress though so is worth noting. As is Dark Corner who won a bumper around here last year and was back in winning action at Warwick last time out so could go well again under his penalty. But we will stick with proven course and distance winner Michael Muck as the likely winner.
Dark Corner 7-2co-fav (10-3) In touch, led after 6th, ran on well, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan beating Ile de Paris (10-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Michael Muck 25-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 35l behind Wichita Lineman (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
What A Scientist (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Evelith Forrest (11-4) by 3l, 6 ran.
Blakeney Run 50-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until weakened after 7th, 11th of 15, well behind Knighton Lad (11-9) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Ibberton 11-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Netherley (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Maktu 50-1 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 14, 24l behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Rood Report 14-1 (11-5) Held up, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by The Sawyer (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Thumbprint (IRE) Aahsaylad gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Fiesty Madam 100-1 (10-3) Always behind, struggling before 8th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Shower Of Hail (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn hdl (F) gd in Apr '05, 12 ran.
Marvellous Dream (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, outpaced 7th, rallied 3 out, ran on well run-in, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Pyleigh Lady 3-1 (11-0) Held up, progress 8th, led 2 out, headed final 100 yards, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Rockys Girl (9-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Court Alliance 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off from 5th, 19th of 21, well behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
