chased leading pair, hit 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and outpaced, finished tired
last pair, ridden and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, hit 2 out, led well before last, raced clear run in, comfortably
lost pair, driven and struggling after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, hit 2nd, ran wide on paddock bend, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with winner
It's very hard to escape the claims of AWESOME GEORGE, who is readily preferred over The Old Pretender and Martys Mission. The last named was thrown in at the deep end at Cheltenham last month but fared as well as could be expected to finish in mid-division. He is still very inexperienced but this visit to Folkestone can only help the learning process. The Old Pretender also has his best days ahead of him and looks an interesting recruit for Carl Llewellyn to go to war with. He has a long absence to overcome, so may be best waited with until he has (a) proved his fitness and (b) shown that he has an aptitude for jumping over hurdles in public. No such questions need to be asked of Awesome George though - he won as he liked at Ludlow 18 days ago. Admittedly, he needs to post further improvement under his 7lb penalty. But the Alan King-trained gelding looks a most progressive individual and, with his stamina proven, Robert Thornton's mount appears to hold all the aces here.
Awesome George 5-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led 3 out, drew clear from last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Midnight Haze (11-0) by 12l, 11 ran.
Achieved 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when eased before last, 8th of 12, well behind Medermit (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Martys Mission (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, hit last, 7th of 8, 25l behind Diamond Harry (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Optimum Asset (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, losing touch when fell 5 out in race won by Medermit (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
The Old Pretender (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 12l behind Mad Max (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
