led, mistake and headed 4 out, soon ridden, rallied to challenge 2 out, led again between last 2, 2 length advantage when left 6 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat
tracked winner, lost place after 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 8th, tracked leading pair after 5 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and no extra when left 6 lengths 2nd last, no chance with winner flat
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and dropped rear 7th, no danger after
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5 out, led next, mistake 3 out, hard pressed next, headed between last 2, 2 lengths down in 2nd and one pace when fell heavily last
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, weakened from next
held up in rear, some headway 5 out, no impression from next, left moderate 3rd last, no chance with leading pair
held up in touch, outpaced 8th, weakened 4 out
Much will depend on whether Pret A Thou and Stagecoach Pearl get embroiled in a battle for the lead, with both having made all on their previous starts. Sue Smith's horse is clear pick of the pair having sauntered to victory at Aintree under similar conditions, for which he's rightly been raised 12lbs. Ockey De Neulliac was a long way back that day but shaped as though the run would bring him on and he should benefit from the likely furious tempo, so Ferdy Murphy's horse is seriously considered in a race taken to go to TARA ROYAL. Donald McCain blames himself for the horses defeat at Carlisle and has suggested that patient tactics over a fast-run two miles will suit his horse, who can be a bit keen. With a tongue-tie tried and a return to this trip potentially beneficial, he can fulfil previous promise. Gringo is the other to consider now racing off his correct mark as he ran a fine race on his return from a long way out of the weights, but he's another who might be best when bowling along.
Stagecoach Pearl 10-3 (10-11) Made all, hit 4 out, drew clear from next, unchallenged, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct beating Awesome George (11-9) by 22l, 6 ran.
Pret A Thou (FR) 5-2fav (10-5) Made all, driven clear when jumped right 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Highway Code (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tara Royal 5-1 (11-8) Jumped stickily early stages, held up last, headway 12th, chased leading pair after 13th, driven before 3 out, no impression when left modest 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd.
Gringo 7-1 (10-4) Disputed 3rd, chased leading pair after 2 out, soon outpaced, left 2 lengths 2nd last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Noble Alan (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gd.
My Moment (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leader until after 6 out, weakening when hit 5 out, 6th of 9, 40l behind Neptune Equester (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Ockey De Neulliac (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, raced wide and reminders paddock bend, headway on outside 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 36l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct.
Smack That (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, took keen hold, went 2nd 3 out until ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 27l behind On Borrowed Wings (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Double Vodka (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 34l behind Lease Lend (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
