always towards rear
held up, headway after 6th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
held up and keen, saddle slipped 2nd, soon pulled up
in touch, ridden to chase winner and mistake 3 out, weakened flat
in touch, ridden and lost place after 6th, soon behind
prominent and not fluent, lost place 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
held up, hampered after 2nd, ridden after 9th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, went 2nd 7th until after 9th, ridden when hit 3 out, kept on one pace
led to 1st, led again 3rd, ridden and headed after 9th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden when mistake 9th, headway 3 out, weakened last
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
prominent to approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened 9th
led 1st to 3rd, led again after 9th, ridden clear when mistake 2 out, eased towards finish
In an interesting race, we will side with Jaunty Times ahead of Overserved and Hawadeth. The selection has looked progressive in winning his last two races and, just five pounds above his Warwick winning mark last time, Henry Daly's gelding looks to have more to come at today's longer trip. Overserved has a similar profile, having won his last three and, with him also looking set to be suited by today's trip, he gets a very good mention. Not for nothing is Hawadeth set to carry topweight and, given that last season's Tote Gold Trophy fourth has won from his current mark, he too is respected. Turning to the others and Rosarian is now two pounds below a 2003 winning mark, but he has had only one run since, Derivative is capable of running well from today's mark, Vicars Destiny is a pound below his May 2004 winning mark and he won a good handicap at York during the latest Flat season, Jaloux d'Estruval has won from a higher mark over fences, and Nick's Choice is now rated below his spring winning mark. You could make a case for some of the others too but, given that he did us a good turn at Warwick, we will side, once again, with Jaunty Times.
Hawadeth 16-1 (10-5) Always behind, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 23l behind Royal Shakespeare (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Manx Royal (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, led 3 out, hard ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 4th of 23, 10l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Spring Pursuit 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway on inside approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 13, 35l behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Freetown (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Started slowly, towards rear, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 13l behind Valley Ride (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Dec.
Rosarian (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Always prominent, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Attorney General (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Derivative (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent and chasing group, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 12, 16l behind Nor'nor'east (11-0) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) hvy in Dec.
Vicars Destiny 8-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced 6th, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 7l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Jaunty Times 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th to 5th, led again 4 out, ridden when hung right after 2 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec beating Tana River (11-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Fullards 13-2 (11-10) Led, headed 2nd, led again 5th, blundered badly and headed 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 12, 27l behind Florida Dream (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Dec.
Alagon (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, 15th of 23, 30l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up, stumbled badly 8th, never going after pulled up at the 14th in race won by Reflected Glory (11-6) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Overserved 4-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Nov beating Mythical King (11-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Sharp Jack (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, soon in touch, hit 2nd and 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 36l behind Vicario (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Nick's Choice 40-1 (10-12) Behind from 8th, 13th of 18, well behind Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
True North (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, in touch when fell at the 9th in race won by Fountain Brig (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Abzuson 40-1 (11-0) Held up, in 4th when mistake and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Rebel Rhythm (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (E) sft in Dec, 4 ran.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-13) Held up in rear, blundered 9th, behind when refused at the 10th in race won by Supreme Breeze (10-8) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
