held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, one pace soon after, no impression
held up in rear, headway 3 out, kept on one pace, never in contention
in rear, moderate effort before 3 out
led and soon well clear, 8 lengths clear 3 out, 4 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, headed soon after, no extra
always in rear, tailed off when blundered 4 out
prominent in chasing group, weakened into 6th when mistake 3 out
always rear division, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off
chased clear leader to approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th and no chance when hit last
prominent in chasing group, going well enough when slipped up on bend before 3 out
always rear division, ridden and struggling 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, making good headway when hampered on bend before 3 out, chased clear leader 3 out, closed as leader blundered 2 out, soon ridden to lead and stayed on well
prominent in chasing group until pushed along and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
soon well in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before 3 out
It may be worth taking a chance with WOODLARK ISLAND ahead of the proven pair Jackers and Mix N Match. The Pipe stable has been carrying all before them in recent weeks and their ex-Flat gelding faces a more realistic chance on his handicap debut. His three runs in novice hurdles have come behind three winners whose sights are raised on Graded races which puts his heavy defeats in context and the market may indicate whether better is expected in this company. Jackers is penalised for his win at Towcester and drops back in trip which could both count against him but he appeared to win with something in hand and clearly relishes the prevailing testing conditions so he has to rate highly. Mix N Match was impressive on Boxing Day but could have his work cut out from an 11lb higher mark given that it was his first win in 12 starts; hope lies in the fact that his Wincanton win was his first for his current connections and that he has turned over a new leaf. Dr Hart has ability, is well handicapped and has his first run for an in-form yard so would be of keen interest if the market were to speak positively. There are a few others of interest including course and distance winner Strategic Plan but we'll hope for improvement from Woodlark Island.
Dr Hart (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, 17l behind Orion Express (11-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Strategic Plan (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Always in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Jenny Potts 10-1 (10-7) Held up, stumbled after 3rd, headway 3 out, chased leader approching next, led after last, ran on, won at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08 beating Smarties Party (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Players Please (USA) 7-1 (11-9) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway on inside when not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 7l behind Darksideofthemoon (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Jackers 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan beating Rothres (10-13) by 5l, 15 ran.
Mix N Match 12-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, drew clear run-in, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating Rowan River (10-11) by 6l, 11 ran.
Temple Place (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always in rear, last of 11, well behind Bugsy's Boy (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb '09.
Bankers Bonus (IRE) 250-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 12th of 18, 49l behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Salontyre (GER) 33-1 (10-0) Not fluent, behind, reminders and struggling after 3 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Bothy (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Woodlark Island (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 5th and driven, ridden and no impression after 3 out, hit 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 9, 48l behind Mille Chief (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Roaming West (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, fell 7th, in a race won by Keyneema (10-11) at Hereford 2m hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Mr Guppy (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 18, 22l behind Nemetan (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May '08.
Tapimix (FR) 250-1 (11-1) Always in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th, losing touch when pulled up before next, in a race won by Key Cutter (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
