prominent, baulked slightly 1st, led 3 out (normal 5 out), pressed flat, pulled out more towards finish
held up behind leaders, closed 5th, one pace 2 out (normal 4 out), went 3rd and kept on flat, unable to challenge
led until 3 out (normal 5 out), weakened flat
held up, headway on home turn, every chance 3 out )normal 5 out), lost place next, went 4th kept on flat, no impression
held up on outside, headway 7th, went 2nd before last, pressing winner flat, no impression towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place and ridden briefly 6th, struggling 3 out (normal 5 out), soon well beaten
MARKET ROAD continues to ascend the official ratings but he's not been heavily raced for an eight-year-old and has been mixing hurdling and chasing with equal aplomb. The suspicion remains that there's more to come from him over the larger obstacles after just four fencing starts and this smooth-travelling sort and course and distance winner is taken to further improve his already impressive strike rate. The Bay Birch has done well on both starts since joining Matt Sheppard and is likely to set out to maximise his guaranteed stamina - he stays much further and looks a danger on this ground. The three at the head of the handicap have more than their fair share of weight to carry and Arquebusier could go well if in the mood.
Wizards Bridge 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 5th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up after 4 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 5-2jfav (11-12) Prominent on outside, challenged after 7th, led 9th, headed after 3 out, switched right flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Finnegan's Garden (10-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Gun Shy (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Chased clear leading pair, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Get Home Now (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Market Road (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway from 9th, switched left after 5 out, challenged going well after 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Arquebusier (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) In touch, mistake 8th, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, mistake when clear last, readily, won at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Kavanaghs Corner (10-3) by 29l, 6 ran.
Arquebusier (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Never that fluent, mostly chased winner until before 6th, weakened quickly before next, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
