held up in 3rd, chased winner before 5th until not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, tracked winner until before 5th where not fluent, relegated to last and beaten before 3 out, bad mistake 2 out and fell a few strides after
made all and set modest pace, quickened before 3 out, in command when not fluent 2 out, well clear last, impressive
held up in 4th, squeezed along after 6th, headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out
Just four heading to post for the opener and RADIUM is the pick with Peddlers Cross and Scriptwriter as the alternatives. The heavy going should not present too many problems for the bay and having won readily at Cheltenham last time out by a comfortable five lengths, he looks an above average recruit from the French provinces. Peddlers Cross has won back to back successes at Haydock and Bangor. He beat nothing on the latter occasion but one could not fail but to be impressed by the way in which he went about the task. Scriptwriter represents the in form Howard Johnson yard. He has a clear chance on the figures though is not the most resolute when push comes to shove. Charlie Tipple was a useful mid-range handicapper over a mile. The six-year-old appeared to relish the soft going at Market Rasen though has not been seen out since that demolition job at the Lincolnshire track. Radium seems to have plenty of improvement left in the locker and we believe that he can give weight all around to this field.
Radium (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, challenging when slightly hampered bend after 2 out, led approaching last, asserted flat, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft beating Four Strong Winds (11-6) by 5l, 10 ran.
Charlie Tipple 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, hit 5th, led after 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Red Onion (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd at 5th, led and clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Flash Harriet (10-5) by 21l, 10 ran.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway next, no extra from last, 6th of 22, 8l behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
