always prominent, chased leader after 5th, not fluent 2 out, driven clear when not fluent last, eased towards finish
mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 3rd, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
ridden after 3rd, always behind
held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 5th, no chance when blundered last
chased leaders, settled in mid-division after 2nd, pushed along after next, soon behind
mid-division, headway 5th, going well approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led to 4th, led 5th to 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway when hit 2 out, never near leaders
held up, headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner approaching last
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th to 5th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
Nonrunner
Yaboya is tentatively recommended in preference to Circassian. Philip Hobbs must have taken a leaf out of Martin Pipe's book with multiple entries in a novice race but we will side with him on account of Richard Johnson's patronage. Yaboya has not shown too much on his racecourse starts but the Minehead handler has made no secret of his liking for this horse. He went into many notebooks when winning a hot bumper at Wincanton in February but one couldn't help but be disappointed by him when he was turned over at Warwick after apparently looking full of running. We are prepared to give him one more try here. Circassian is here in preference to a number of much stronger entries that he held at the five day stage. He ran a good race behind Two Miles West at Wetherby but he did disappoint behind Black Jack Ketchum at Cheltenham. It is surprising that Howard Johnson has elected to drop him in trip but he is a decent horse on his day and it would be foolish to discount him so readily. Lone Rider is respected from the Jonjo O'Neill stable. He was very green on his debut under rules and can be capable of stepping up on his relatively modest bumper form. Pont Neuf finished second in a recent Leicester mares-only contest. She would need to improve to have similar prospects at this level. Ex-flat recruits Cryfield and Trust Rule have not shown too much since switching the winter game and are probably best left alone. Yaboya secures our nomination.
Bob's Temptation 200-1 (10-12) Close up, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd, 12 ran.
Circassian (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3rd out, soon weakened, 6th of 18, 21l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Cryfield 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 17th of 19, 49l behind Nous Voila (11-4) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Devolution (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (D) gd in Jul '03 beating Sky Quest (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran (Flat).
Explode 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, last of 14, well behind Classic Event (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
From Dawn To Dusk 7-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 7th, 9th of 16, well behind Galteemountain Boy (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) sft.
Gunship (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, 5th of 11, 43l behind Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy.
Guymur (FR) 9-2 (10-11) In touch when mistake and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Biscar Two (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy, 11 ran.
Leo's Luckyman (USA) 9-2jt-fav (11-0) Led until fell at the 3rd in race won by Huckster (11-0) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (D) gs, 17 ran.
Lone Rider (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear division, pushed along for 4f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 6th of 13, 20l behind Major Miller (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Sharp Rally (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 19, 24l behind Nous Voila (11-4) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Trust Rule 20-1 (10-9) Behind, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 19, 20l behind Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Yaboya (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 11l behind Ask The Gatherer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Pinkerton Mill 40-1 (10-0) Led to 7th, led again briefly approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by The Mick Weston (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Pont Neuf (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway after 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Glory Be (10-10) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) hvy.
Dusky Dawn (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden over 5f out, soon behind, 14th of 16, well behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Patrixtoo (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Held up, headway when fell 2 out in race won by Motive (10-8) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Lucky Arthur (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 37l behind Past Heritage (9-11) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Nov.
