held up, headway approaching 4th, chased winner approaching 3 out, switched left approaching last, no impression flat
held up, some headway 4th, soon weakened
prominent, led after 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon edged right, kept on well
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
chased leaders until 4th, soon ridden, one pace
led until after 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The vote here goes to Foxmeade Dancer ahead of Mark Equal, O'Toole and Knight Of Silver. Much as he has a touch of seconditis at present, it would be folly to dismiss Mark Equal's chance in this modest handicap. Hamadeenah is now 10 pounds higher than for his latest win, so more is required. O'Toole could be interesting dropping to this trip for the first time over hurdles, while Dinarelli won from a five-pound lower mark in April 2004, but recent efforts have been modest. First de la Brunie made some improvement at this trip last time, but Alva Glen has yet to win over hurdles. Foxmeade Dancer has made steady improvement over the last 18 months and more will be needed again, although this trip should suit better than the longer one he ran over last time. Knight of Silver is now back to near a winning mark, so keep an eye on the betting, but Great Compton has yet to make the frame over hurdles and Madison de Vonnas has something to prove at present. Putting all of this into the mix, we came up with the selection, which is Foxmeade Dancer.
Mark Equal 2-1fav Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged on outside approaching 2 out, not quicken from last, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Alikat at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Hamadeenah 16-1 Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Krakow Baba at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
O'Toole (IRE) 9-2 Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 17l behind Reel Missile at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd.
Dinarelli (FR) 25-1 Held up, headway 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 32l behind Caspian Dusk at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs.
First De La Brunie (FR) 9-1 In touch, outpaced after 6th, plugged on at one pace approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Mr Dinglawi at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Foxmeade Dancer 16-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 10l behind Fortune Island at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
Knight of Silver 16-1 In touch until 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Parson Ploughman at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Great Compton 12-1 In touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 24l behind Archie Babe at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
Madison de Vonnas (FR) 12-1 Hit 1st, always behind, tailed off when blundered 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Back Nine at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gd in Feb.
Adecco (IRE) 11-1 In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 11, well behind Ireland's Eye at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May '03.
Alva Glen (USA) 16-1 Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 17l behind Golden Chalice at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
