mid-division, held from 4 out
always in rear
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on
tracked leader, led 4th, all out when headed close home
always in rear
held up, reminders approaching 2nd, effort after 4 out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, chased leader last, all out and kept on gamely to lead close home
never dangerous
behind from 5th
led and keen, headed 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, close up last, one pace flat
A stone from top to tail in this handicap and narrow preference is for BEAT THE SYSTEM ahead of Desert Storm and The Composer. Quaddick Lake is potentially a lot better than we have seen so far and any market move for him after a break would be interesting as he races off this new mark of 105; however Beat The System is preferred. Martin Hill's gelding has a mark of 100 for this first foray into handicap company. He is yet to convert his good bumper form into a win over hurdles but he has caught the eye on his last two runs on ground probably too soft, and now racing on a quicker surface we are likely to see a different horse. The blinkers may spark some improvement in Maximix, whilst The Composer is winless in 11 but showed that a win may not be far away with a good second at Wincanton last time. Freddys Star is another who ran well last time but again his "win's column" is despairingly blank. Line Arctic and Masjoor join Captain Becket on the list of consistent horses, whilst Bolitree Bob is a much better chaser than he is hurdler. A competitive handicap, however it is Beat The System who is nominated.
Captain Becket 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, one pace after, 5th of 12, 8l behind Swift Sailor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Masjoor 7-2jt-fav (11-8) Pulled early and soon prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, mistake and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Beechwood (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jun.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened soon after 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Desert Storm (DEN) 9-4fav (10-11) Pulled hard early in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, found nil, eased approaching last, 9th of 15, 47l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Beat The System 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 15, 22l behind Ajzal (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Line Artic (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division in well grouped field, raced keenly, moved closer 6th, outpaced 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 20, 9l behind Gallileo Figaro (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Maximix 8-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling after, 5th of 11, 14l behind Bugsy's Boy (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
The Composer 9-2 (11-11) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from last to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind New Rackheath (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Bollitree Bob 16-1 (10-13) Held up and pulled early, chased leader after 3rd, weakened 5th, behind when pulled up in race won by Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Local Present (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after, 5th of 9, 16l behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
