led and soon clear, mistake 4th, headed soon after 2 out, weakened rapidly
held up, headway to track leaders, going well between last 2, soon chased winner, chance last, ridden and found little run-in
held up behind leaders, chased leading pair before last, no impression and lost moderate 3rd last stride
chased leaders until weakened well before last
reluctant to line up, held up, headway approaching last, stayed on to take moderate 3rd last stride
tracked clear leader, closed 4th, challenged 2 out, led soon after, pressed last, ridden and drew away run-in
The Gene Genie is given the nod here in front of Before The Mast and Sunley Future. The Ron Hodges trained eleven-year-old belied odds of 66/1 when finishing an excellent fourth behind Nippy Des Mottes at Taunton on Friday. If none the worse for those exertions he should make a bold bid in this lesser company. Before The Mast landed a competitive seller at Market Rasen last time and although this race is stronger he gets in here on a nice weight and should make his presence felt. Sunley Future has been running better than his form figures suggest and if anywhere near his best he should take a hand in the finish. Misbehaviour can also get involved if fit for his seasonal debut, but The Gene Genie is the one that gets our vote.
Sunley Future (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden 5th, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind The Hairy Lemon (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Misbehaviour 5-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, 6th and held when heavily eased flat, 7th of 12, 23l behind Capitana (10-6) at Plumpton 2m hdl (F) gd in Mar.
Before The Mast (IRE) 9-2fav (10-9) Rear, headway 4th, challenged 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Dec beating Seraph (10-11) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
The Gene Genie 66-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 14l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Monsal Dale (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch until weakened after 5th, soon tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Indian Star (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Isam Top (FR) 20-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 5l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Loup Bleu (USA) 50-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 8th, ridden before next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Pass Me A Dime (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
