towards rear, ridden after 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out
midfield, hit 3rd, headway to track leaders approaching 4 out, close up approaching 3 out where left in front, ridden clear approaching last, kept on strongly flat
tracked leader, ridden and lost place after 4 out, in rear and virtually pulled up before 3 out, no extra
led, wandered left and headed 4th, led narrowly 4 out, headed and ridden approaching 3 out, distant 3rd 2 out, ran on from last but no chance with winner
in rear, mistake 4 out and ridden, tailed off before 3 out
pressed leader, led narrowly 4th, headed 4 out, led when fell 3 out
towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway before 3 out, close up when left in second 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
NonRunner
NonRunner
Marlborough Sounds was engaged in the 12.40 at Cheltenham yesterday. Twin Star was first past the post at Ludlow last month but disqualified after his rider failed to weigh in – the handicapper has rubbed salt in the wound by raising him 5lb. Better going would have suited Caius Marcius but Wild Max has won on good and soft ground and looks progressive and he makes more appeal than Native Fighter, having a first run since August and better over much further. MICK MAESTRO beat a good yardstick here two weeks ago on his second start following a break. The merit of that form should not be underestimated and he can defy a 6lb rise.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, lost place 5th, well beaten after 3 out, 7th of 8, 33l behind Kid Commando (11-4) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
Wild Max (GER) 2-1fav (11-10) Close up, tracked leaders 3 out, pressed leader next, led narrowly last, driven on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Constancio (11-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Theatre Legend 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in 5th and beaten when fell 2 out, at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Twin Star (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Chased leader, led after 4th, disputed lead before 6th, headed and pushed along before 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well flat, disqualified and placed last, rider failed to weigh-in, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Robinshill (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Shantaluze (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always behind, 7th of 9, dist behind Mr Muldoon (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Mick Maestro (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, pulled clear when mistake last, all out, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Kannapolis (11-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Native Fighter (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on flat, led towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Dear Sire (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Marlborough Sounds 5-2jfav (11-12) Chased leader, not fluent 2nd, challenged 3 out, led next, headed last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Fransham (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Magic Dancer 17-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 7th, some headway after 2 out, mistake last, no impression, 8th of 17, 12 1/4l behind Castle Robin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
