tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 8th, jumped left 4 out, modest 4th when fell 3 out
held up, headway 8th, close up when fell 4 out
held up, some progress approaching 4 out, never on terms
held up, not fluent 6th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, steady headway 7th, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leader, weakened 8th
in touch, hung right on bend after 5th, ridden and weakened 7th
held up, mistake 2nd, pulled up after 3rd and dismounted
mid-division, ridden 6th, headway 7th, chased winner 4 out, hard ridden and no extra
held up, mistake 7th, weakened next
led, headed and weakened 4 out
held up mid-division, hit 1st and reminders, ridden 6th, mistake 8th, chased leaders soon after, hampered 3 out, soon held
towards rear, stayed on from 4 out
mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, all out towards finish
In a very tricky race to call we'll side with the in form BALLY CONN with the main dangers coming from Magnifico and Mr MacKay. The selection is hat-trick chasing here after a superb winter so far that's included four wins in eight outings. The latest was a game effort in a battling finish and the performance gave the impression that he's not finished yet. Magnifico has the advantage of bottom weight and will receive over a stone from the selection. He's off more than a fair mark these days as proved when from touch off one pound lower last time and on these terms is competitive. Mr Mackay seems to have been given a fair mark on his handicap debut, after finishing close behind a horse now rated at 111, and he's improved every time in three starts so far. The Wooden Spoon and Brenin Cwmtudu now look high enough in the ratings and may need a reprieve so we'll stick with momentum and Bally Conn.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, headway after 8th, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, went left last, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Brenin Cwmtudu 7-2 (10-7) Held up, headway when mistake 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 29l behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Charles Street 12-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind I'm The Decider (11-3) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Bally Conn (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Raced on outside, in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating More The Merrier (11-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Evelith Forrest 11-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 40l behind Mckelvey (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar '07.
On Spec 33-1 (11-0) Hit 6th, always behind, tailed off, 6th of 16, 27l behind I'm The Decider (11-3) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Mr Mackay 20-1 (11-6) In touch, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied again flat, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Radmores Revenge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Before Dark (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, ran on, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec '06 beating Jug Of Punch (9-13) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Cashel Blue (USA) 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden and behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Hello Moscow (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy, 12 ran.
Silver Snitch (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) In rear, mistakes, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Chaim (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Glen Omen (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Led until after 1st, chased leader, hit 8th, weakening when hampered on bend soon after, 11th of 18, well behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Macmar (FR) 20-1 (10-12) In rear, mistake 2nd, ridden and hit 8th, struggling next, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Strawberry (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 9 ran.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and blundered 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Whatadifference (USA) 20-1 (11-0) (tt) hdwy 8; wknd qckly 4 out, 5th of 6, 31l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp sft.
Magnifico (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Mars Rock (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
