held up, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, mistake next, weakened before last
in touch, chased leader 3 out, ridden and led after last, kept on well
towards rear, hard ridden 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, hit 6th, weakened 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when ducked and unseated rider before turning into straight
led, hit 2nd, mistake and ridden 2 out, not fluent last, headed and no extra run-in
held up, headway approaching 5th, not fluent 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out
in touch, lost place 4th, weakened 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, reminders 5th, soon behind
The vote here goes to Reel Missile from a shortlist that also contained Swift Swallow, Reasonably Sure, Lord Heccles and Briery Fox. Reel Missile disappointed at Haydock last time but, on better going on this sharper track, a lot better can be expected today. His form prior to that Haydock run had him labelled as a promising novice. Reasonably Sure's third behind Limited Edition and Il Duce was a fair effort and it may have been franked by now at Sandown on Thursday, while Lord Heccles is going the right way judged on his slightly unlucky Plumpton second last time and Gulabill's hurdling debut did not match the best of his bumper efforts, although he might now improve. Given that Briery Fox looked like he would need further when a good fourth at Ludlow last time, it is a little surprising to see him run at what is probably the sharpest jump track in the country. However, Henry Daly would know the horse a lot better than me. Finally, Swift Swallow returned from an absence to win well at Market Rasen ten days ago and he can be expected to show up well again. For the winner, though, we will side with Reel Missile.
Swift Swallow 12-1 In touch, headway to track leaders 6th, hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd beating Kitski by 5l, 13 ran.
Briery Fox (IRE) 4-1 Led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 11l behind Only Vintage at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Gulabill 9-2 Soon led, headed approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out and mistake, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 33l behind Miss Fahrenheit at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Lord Heccles (IRE) 14-1 Held up rear, headway 4 out to join leaders, ridden to dispute lead and mistake last, headed flat, 2nd of 13, nk behind Ess of Norway at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 5-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 3f out, ridden approaching next, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Limited Edition at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Reel Missile 7-1 Tracked leaders and keen, jumped right from 5th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 16, 23l behind Thames at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Stanwick Gypsy 40-1 In touch, chased winner 4th, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 9, 26l behind Lady Misprint at Fakenham 2m 7f amt mdn hdl (F) gf in Jan.
Texas Belle (IRE) 33-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mr President at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (C) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
