took keen hold, held up in last pair in touch, steady headway into 4th before 7th, travelling well before 3 out, led 3 out, clear from next, mistake last, ridden out
keen, tracking leaders, went 2nd 4th until approaching 3 out, 2nd again soon after 3 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out
held up in last pair, pushed along after 6th, outpaced 8th, no chance when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
pulled hard, headway chasing leaders before 3rd, weakened before 7th, driven and struggling in rear after next, tired when blundered 2 out, tailed off
chased leader until 4th, chased leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, soon no impression, held when mistake 2 out and not fluent last
raced keenly, led until 3 out, soon weakened
GREAT CHOICE has failed to justify favouritism twice in handicaps since finishing second to Chesterfield at Cheltenham but a step up to 3m has been long awaited and David Pipe's charge can recoup losses today. Another winning pointer, Chosen Well, made a winning start under Rules at Chepstow and should make a bold bid to defy his penalty. He is less exposed than Ffos Las scorer Local Show, though Richard Woollacott's gelding is no mug and will take advantage if his market rivals come up short. Berea Venture was flattered by his proximity to Buywise on his debut but is entitled to improve and Vintage Vinnie gets a test of stamina under Rules for the first time so shouldn't be left out of calculations given he has form in better races than this.
Chosen Well (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan beating Wait A Second (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Local Show (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Pressed leader, led after 8th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Thunder And Rain (10-12) by 13l, 5 ran.
At Your Pearl (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, hit 2nd, mistake 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Carningli (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Berea Venture (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd after next, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, went 2nd again after 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner who was heavily eased flat, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Buywise (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Great Choice (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged 8th, led next, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner, kept on run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Laughton Park (10-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, hampered by loose horse 4th, hard pressed when left with 2 lengths advantage 3 out, ridden after 2 out, strongly challenged when went left last, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind A Vos Gardes (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
