always behind, struggling after 11th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
soon held up in touch, lost place 10th, hit 11th, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, not fluent 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, no impression from 2 out
held up, short-lived effort approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up after 3 out
made all, clear from 2 out, driven out (last fence in home straight and old water jump in back straight omitted)
chased winner to 3 out, beaten when ridden before last
held up mid-division, niggled along and weakened before 4 out
held up, niggled along and struggling approaching 4 out
Normally a rise of 19lb for two successes, as is the case with SEASTON SPIRIT, would usually be viewed as prohibitive but this is going to be a real slog in the conditions over 3m and the Sherwood gelding has already handled such conditions with aplomb. He is therefore worth staying with despite the attentions of the handicapper. Tom George hasn't wasted time in sending triple point-to-point winner, Springfield Fox, over fences and he looks to inhabit a decent mark for this fencing debut under Rules. Similar comments apply to Nicky Henderson's Beyondthestorm, who is an intriguing contender, while Sizing Cusimano may be better than he's shown to date.
Marble Moon (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, shaken up 16th, behind 18th, 6th of 7, dist behind Dragon D'Estruval (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Snuff Box (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, hit 12th, losing place when fell 5 out, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Sizing Cusimano 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced home turn, plugged on same pace from after 2 out, went modest 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Manofthemountain (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Seaston Spirit 10-3fav (12-1) Held up in mid-division, headway begore 4th, not fluent 7th, blundered 13th, led after 14th, clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating The Ogle Gogle Man (12-1) by 11l, 9 ran.
Springfield Fox Evensfav (10-12) Led and soon clear, reduced lead and went right 5th, clear again before 7th until 4f out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Illegal Model (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
Beyondthestorm (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakened next, 8th of 11, 11l behind Whatsupwithyou (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) hvy in Dec.
Tea Time On Mars 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders in 3rd, lost place at 11th, in 2nd place before 4 out, in lead run-in (limited comments due to very poor visibility), won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Ballinslea Bridge (12-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Steel Express (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Whipped round and unseated rider as tapes went up, at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
