held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 8th, never dangerous
held up, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, not quicken
prominent, weakened from 3 out
held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along 8th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven out
led, headed 2nd, lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
Nonrunner
Hopeful Start is worth noting given his trainer's record at the track, while Lord Crewe and Aconitum have solid claims but it may be worth taking a chance with SWINCOMBE ROCK if the price is right. The stable form of the Alners is a concern but they had one go close at Ascot at the weekend which was encouraging. Swincombe Rock has shown sufficient promise in three starts in novice company to think that he can make his mark in handicap company and the step back up to a more suitable trip is in his favour. Hopeful Start has a similar profile except that he hasn't shown quite as much promise as the Alner horse, including when a short-priced favourite last time. Tony McCoy is back in the saddle for his handicap bow and it would be no surprise if Hopeful Start were to prove more effective in this sphere. Lord Crewe ran on well to beat Aconitum by a length-and-a-half over course and distance but connections of the runner-up will be hopeful that they can reverse the form with the penalised winner. The three at the top of the weights are more exposed but still have claims whilst support for another lightly-raced runner in Fire Within would be well worth noting even though he hasn't achieved a great deal thus far. Sona Sasta has been disappointing to date but hasn't got many miles on the clock and is worth a cautionary glance with the yard amongst the winners whilst This Way could show up well if retaining his ability after an absence.
Devon Native (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 5th, led again 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed soon after, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Cobbler's Queen (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f mares nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed approaching 3 out, led again approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Gold Award (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Little Al 8-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch, hit 3rd, under pressure 8th, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by King Ar Aghaidh (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Swincombe Rock 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 3 out, 3rd approaching last, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
This Way (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 6th, headway to join leaders 4 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Pistol Desbois (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar '08.
Ryans Good Time (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) With leader, led 2nd, headed before 6th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Nagam (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Prominent, weakened after 11th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 5-4fav (10-9) Held up and off the pace, headway 6th, headway into modest 4th and hit 3 out, soon ridden, no chance when left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Aconitum (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, challenged 3 out, every chance last and not fluent, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Lord Crewe (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Hareem (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 6th, behind 8th, rallied after 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 13, 6l behind Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Ballyvesey (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 22l behind Lord Crewe (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Fire Within 22-1 (10-12) Chased leader to approaching 4th, stayed close up until weakened 6th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 29l behind Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Lord Crewe (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Was the winner, tracked leaders, led 4 out, kept on under pressure, driven out, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Aconitum (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Sir Harry Cool 16-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, fell 5 out, in a race won by Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, not always fluent, badly hampered 9th, no headway, 11th of 18, well behind Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Anglican (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Mistakes, always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Rapid Increase (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
King of Castile 11-2 (11-11) Led, headed approaching 4th, tracked leader, every chance approaching 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Lord Crewe (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
