held up in mid-division when fell 4th
behind, some headway 3 out, no impression after
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened
chased leaders, every chance last, kept on, not pace of winner
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
led until 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, chased leaders 6th, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened after next
behind, ridden approaching 5th, soon struggling
close up when unseated rider 2nd
in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear after last
behind, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, hampered by loose horse 4th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway to go mid-division 4 out, weakened next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division, kept on after 3 out, took 3rd close home
A big field and nothing really leaps off the page; we will take a chance on LATALANTA ahead of Random Native, Mini Minster and Patsy Finnegan. The selection probably wants the heavens to open as his best form has been on hock-deep ground. He was well-fancied last time but probably found conditions at Exeter too lively and so with his previous fourth to Stradbrook at Lingfield reading well, a big run is expected today off a nice racing weight. Mini Minster takes a big drop in class having contested a mares' only Grade Two last time at the track. That was too optimistic but given her good win off a mark of 99 the time before, she can not be discounted today racing off 110. Sea Venture and Simple Jim are two to be wary of near the foot of the handicap, whilst Boulders Beach has been off for almost three years and it would be some training performance to get him back with a win however well his old form reads. Mud Monkey has shown little for his new yard whilst Realism is another who needs to improve. Its Moon and Smugglers Bay give the impression of sitting too high in the handicap, so a bigger threat may be Patsy Finnegan. Alan King's gelding has some solid form to his name without winning and a mark of 107 for this handicap debut looks fair enough. At a price course winner Random Native must be considered despite a flop last time, but it is Latalanta who is nominated.
Lordsbridge (USA) 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 8th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 19, 47l behind Vodka Brook (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Risk Runner (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and stayed on from 3 out, 5th of 17, 11l behind Greenbelt (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 23l behind Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
A French Horse (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Chased clear leaders, closed before 4th, went 2nd next, led approaching 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, soon got tired and wandered, headed 100 yards out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Fiendish Flame (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4).
Its Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 8th of 14, 15l behind Strobe (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
King Mak 40-1 (10-13) Towards rear, well behind when fell at the 4th in race won by Almaydan (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Tessanoora 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Oldrik (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Smart Street 9-2 (10-12) Led to 8th, chased leader until blundered, and lost place 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 9, 10l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Random Native (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden and lost touch 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Strobe (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Mini Minster 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 5th of 6, 50l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Mud Monkey 100-1 (10-7) Led 3rd to 7th, weakened 11th, no chance when blundered badly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Planet of Sound (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Patsy Finnegan 7-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on, 5th of 15, 9l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Realism (FR) 40-1 (10-1) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Laredo Sound (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Boulders Beach (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, 36l behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr '06.
Latalanta (FR) 11-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Penn Da Benn (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Sea Venture (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, 3rd when mistake next, no impression approaching last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Picaroon (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Simple Jim (FR) 15-2 (10-11) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Strobe (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway from 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 16, 20l behind Mars Rock (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
