tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 8th, every chance 3 out, kept on same pace from last
led to 2nd, remained close up, mistake 5th, every chance 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
in rear and keen, pushed along and weakened from 7th, pulled up before 3 out
GERSHWIN is a confident choice to dispose of Dominican Monk and Tom's Toybox. Phillip Hobbs' runner makes plenty of appeal in receipt of weight all around and having won on the bit at Newbury, if he can handle today's surface, he is at the right end of the handicap to make it count. Dominican Monk hails from a yard that have been bang in form over the last few months. He was easy to back last time at Kempton and it is to be hoped that he improves for going the other way around this afternoon. Tom's Toybox won a Kelso contest with a late challenge from off a strong pace. That is not certain to happen here. Beggars Cap faced a hopeless task at Cheltenham but was travelling well when regrettably coming to grief. Coach Lane is out of form at present. Gershwin is taken to continue his progression up the ranks.
Tom's Toybox 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, driven and kept on well flat to lead near finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Nikola (11-2) by hd, 10 ran.
Beggars Cap (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 3rd, headway approaching 4 out, staying on and going well 7th when blundered badly, gave rider no chance and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Oh Crick (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Coach Lane 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, mistake 6th, effort after 9th, weakened approaching next, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Dominican Monk (IRE) 6-5fav (11-9) Jumped left at some fences, held up in close 5th, headway to track leading pair 8th, chased winner 3 out, chance when jumped left 2 out, soon lost 2nd, rallied to regain 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Green Gamble (10-7) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Gershwin (IRE) 9-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 9th, steady headway before 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, hung right flat, driven out and stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Russian Flag (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
