tracked leading pair, 2nd at 6th, closed approaching 4 out, led travelling well next, clear 2 out, 8 lengths ahead when fell last
took keen hold early, pecked 1st, held up in 4th, not fluent and dropped to rear 2nd (water), tailed off when blundered 5th, left remote 4th last
took keen hold early, held up in 5th, closer in 4th place 2nd, mistake 4th, weakened and struggling before 4 out, left remote 3rd last
chased clear leader, lost 2nd 6th, chased leading pair, reminder after 8th, pushed along and held 3 out, blundered next, left 10 lengths 2nd last, closed on idling winner, always held
keen, led and soon clear, pecked 1st, reduced lead 5th, clear again 8th, reduced lead when mistake 4 out, mistake and headed next, chased clear leader, 10 lengths down when left clear and mistake last, idled run-in, held on
Today’s going may be too testing for On Demand, who tackles fences for the first time. The Nipper still has plenty to learn about jumping fences and this looks a big ask for Dancing Conquest after almost 12 months off but Casablanca Mix is making steady progress in chases and the second at Huntingdon last time franked the form with a good run at Cheltenham. Ned Curtis’ claim almost negates her penalty but SHAAMA GRISE will have learned plenty from her run behind the more-experienced Optimus Prime at Plumpton and could be the value give she’s a real mudlark.
Casablanca Mix (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Theatre Territory (11-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Dancing Conquest 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, left poor 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 9, dist behind Missed Approach (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
On Demand 13-2 (11-12) Keen, chased leader until lost 2nd on long run after 3 out, weakening when hung right and mistake 2 out, 7th of 10, 23l behind Graceful Legend (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Shaama Grise (FR) 13-8 (10-7) Tracked winner, disputed lead after 7th, driven before 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no chance with winner between last 2, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Optimus Prime (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
The Nipper (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Settled in rear but in touch, not fluent 6th, some headway 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 5, 29 3/4l behind Lady Buttons (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Nov.
