chased leader, led 3 out, soon clear, eased heavily flat
always behind
held up, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, one pace
held up in touch, reminders 4th, outpaced from 8th, stayed on to chase winner last, no impression
led, headed 3 out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened from 7th, pulled up after 3 out
A competitive little race which can go the way of topweight King Daniel with Majorca and Space Cowboy feared most. The selection has an 8lb rise to overcome for his win on soft ground at Catterick but there was a lot to like about the style of that win and he looks progressive. Majorca travelled really well throughout the race at Leicester and the handicapper looks to have taken a chance in raising him by just 6lbs as he seemingly won a shade cosily. He'll be suited by the drying ground and is one to keep on the right side of when conditions are in his favour. Space Cowboy was nibbled at in the market last time but was never able to land a blow on the runaway winner. There may well be a race in him and it will be interesting to see if his supporters come in again but he's no room for error in this company and King Daniel will do for us.
King Daniel 9-4fav (10-7) Made all and jumped well, kept on well from 2 out, won at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) sft beating Or de Grugy (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Majorca 9-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway after 3 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m nov chs (4) gs beating Le Burf (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Categorical 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, tracked leaders 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance last, driven and kept on to lead post, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (3) gs beating Galero (10-13) by a hd, 12 ran.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up, chased winner from 5th, ridden after 7th, no chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Fabulous Jet (10-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
First Fought (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 9, 25l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Tom's Toybox 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Cadoulitique (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
He's My Man (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) With leader, ridden and losing place 4 out and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Devils River (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec, 9 ran.
