led and disputed, every chance 4 out until next, soon ridden, lost 2nd and bumped 2 out, soon outpaced, plugged on in 4th run-in
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, hit 8th, outpaced 13th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before last
led and disputed, outright leader 3 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace, no chance with winner
patiently ridden in rear, steady headway on inside approaching 14th, 3rd before 4 out, weakened and slight bump 2 out
held up in rear, outpaced before 14th, good headway on outside chased leaders before 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly, ridden clear
not fluent 1st, held up in touch, headway on outside chasing leaders 10th, 3rd and one pace run-in
chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and lost place before 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
Nothing makes major appeal but VERY FIRST TIME has enjoyed a rejuvenated campaign for the Skeltons and may have found the longer trip too daunting last time at Market Rasen. The return to 3m should prove ideal. He is 15lb higher than when scoring at Southwell in November but his current rating appears a more representative assessment of his ability. Agamemmon has improved with each run this term and commands respect in an open race but Mahlermade is rated the prime danger on the back of a more than respectable effort last time and with Alexander Thorne claiming a vital 7lb. The consistent Elkstone should also be thereabouts.
Mahlermade (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, led before 3 out, headed approaching next, soon rallied, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 15, 4 3/4l behind Copperhead (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Lygon Rock (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Tanarpino 14-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 8, 16 1/2l behind Boldmere (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Elkstone 9-2 (12-1) Pulled hard in rear, good headway tracking leaders 5th, hit 10th, went 2nd and hit next, led 4 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, weakened into 3rd, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Well Smitten (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Very First Time 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, outpaced 6 out, rallied after next, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, no extra last, 4th of 9, 19l behind Hugo 'n Taz (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Agamemmon (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, led 4 out, stayed on strongly, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Justforjames (12-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Shanty Alley 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, chased leader 5 out, left 2nd when hampered last, kept on, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Dino Boy (11-2) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Halloween Harry (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, blundered 7th, mistake 9th, some headway on outside after 4 out, no impression and behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
