towards rear, headway on long run to 2nd, chased leaders 4th, mistke next, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up in rear, plugged on under pressure after 3 out, went 4th last
raced wide, in touch, ridden and outpaced when hit 4th, rallied approaching 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on flat, almost snatched 2nd
led, hit 4th, headed 4 out, chased leader until weakened rapidly well before next, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 1st, went 2nd approaching 3rd, led 4 out, headed when stumbled 3 out, mistake and lost 2nd next, weakened before last
slowly away and lost ground start, always tailed off
chased leaders until lost place on inside on long run to 2nd, soon behind and never on terms after
always in rear, lost touch and struggling on long run to 2nd, tailed off
chased leader until approaching 3rd, soon lost palce, behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden after 3rd, outpaced before 4 out, plugged on from 3 out, kept on well flat
towards rear, headway to 4th and hit 4 out, led 3 out, pressed 2 out, hung left and wanderd before last, not quicken and headed towards finish
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
in touch, headay to 3rd 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, driven soon after, stayed on to lead towards finish, very good ride
The Fox's Decree has gone close on a number of occasions but is still a maiden over hurdles and returns from a short break here. Man Of Leisure has only found one good in his last three starts but is creeping up the handicap as a result, while Whitcombe Spirit was a beaten favourite at Plumpton last month. Chouromanesco improved a little for the fitting of blinkers last time but has done all of his racing over much longer trips and more interesting is Taste The Wine, who won on the all-weather under today's amateur at Wolverhampton in November and has hinted at ability over timber. TAVALU came back to form in a Towcester seller nine days ago however and, with his rider's claim negating the penalty, can follow up here.
Taste The Wine (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In rear, headway 6th to chase leaders, challenged when hit last, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 7l behind Sambelucky (9-11) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Just Tootsie 33-1 (10-9) In touch led briefly 1st, chased clear leader, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 14, 33l behind Molly Round (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
The Fox's Decree 16-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader and raced wide, mistake 2nd, pushed along approaching 5th and soon lost place, went poor 3rd when blundered 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Lean Burn (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Tiger Dream 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden before 5th, weakened quickly, 9th of 11, 27l behind Webbswood Lad (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Man Of Leisure 3-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 1st, headed after 4th, 2nd when not fluent 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Decent Lord (10-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Whitcombe Spirit 5-4fav (11-8) Chased leading trio, driven and outpaced 3 out, rallied under strong pressure to take modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Little Roxy (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
Chouromanesco (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Led, joined 3rd, mistake 5th, headed next, led again 8th, headed 10th, left 3rd 3 out, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 9, 29l behind Hazy Bay (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Tavalu (USA) 40-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway when mistake 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Towcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb beating Low Delta (11-4) by 4l, 9 ran.
Copper Sound 3-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, chased leaders on outer 6th, with leader 7th, hit 5 out, soon quickly weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Prince Tam (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd, chased leaders 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Molly Round (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Only Hope 33-1 (9-8) Raced on outside, chased leaders until weakened 8th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Pseudonym (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gf in May '09.
Zuleta 25-1 (10-2) Always in rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Molly Round (10-7) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Feb, 12 ran.
Lupita (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Chased winner until 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 10, 25l behind Najca De Thaix (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.