held up, dropped rear from 3rd, pulled up before 6th
led, ridden when hit 2 out, all out when headed close home
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden when mistake 7th, weakened 4 out
always in rear, weakened 8th, blundered 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out
held up well off the pace, stayed on from 4 out to take 3rd 2 out, never troubled leading pair
in touch, mistake 2nd, reminders 4th, weakening when not fluent 4 out
held up, headway 7th, tracked leader from next, ridden 3 out, kept on well to lead close home
Amadeus is a consistent performer and has to be respected but Michael Scudamore's gelding is probably a shade high in the weights at present and a chance is taken in an open race with Jupon Vert, who is preferred to Message Recu. The last mentioned has shown improved form of late and is gradually slipping back to a winning mark but may still need some more help from the handicapper. Moorland Monarch disappointed last time but would have claims on the pick of his form, while Blazing Batman has given little cause for optimism of late. Scarlet Mix is capable but has shown little worthwhile form of late and preference is for Jupon Vert. The Ron Hodges-trained gelding ran well enough in defeat off today's mark, 2lbs higher than when scoring at Huntingdon two starts previously last week, and with Tony McCoy booked there may be more to come.
Message Recu (FR) 10-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 10th, headway and chased winner 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Preacher Boy (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Jupon Vert (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Led, headed after 3 out, led again next, headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Just A Touch (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Scarlet Mix (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Indian Star (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Moorland Monarch 7-2 (10-8) Chased leader, lost place 5th, reminder 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 12, well behind He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Blazing Batman 25-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along 11th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Rosses Point (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Auditor 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 36l behind Wages (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Advance East 25-1 (10-0) Always towards rear pulled up 2 out in race won by Wages (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft, 13 ran.
Amadeus (AUS) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, mistake 4 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Darkshape (10-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
