led until, stumbled and fell after 5th
mid-division on inside, lost place and struggling 6th, no danger after
tracked leaders, left disputing lead after 5th, lost place after 3 out, weakened from next
held up behind, headway on outside after 6th, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner approaching last, clear 2nd when eased towards finish
in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression with leading pair from next
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, 9 lengths clear when jinked left last, ridden clear, eased towards finish, easily
tracked leader, left in lead after 5th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, no impression approaching last
chased leaders on outside to 3rd, behind when hampered 5th, struggling next, no danger after
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Astracad has to be of interest on his handicap debut off a mark of 103 having shown promise in novice hurdles for his in-form stable but more solid claims are held by VICTORY SURGE, who gets the vote with Ballinderry Park rated the best of the rest. The selection failed to justify favouritism when beaten at Huntingdon when last seen in January but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looks worth another chance judged by his previous run when winning at Warwick and he looks worth siding with on this better ground. Don McCain's Root Cause has been well held in two previous starts this term and is hard to recommend, while John Flint's Thehonourablelady probably needs some help from the handicapper. Mayor Of Kilcock ran better when chasing home City Heights at Taunton last time and has to be considered along with Charlie Mann's Ballinderry Park, who appreciated the return to racing on good ground at Market Rasen recently and should be thereabouts again. Preference though is for Jonjo O'Neill's Victory Surge, who can resume winning ways after a below par effort on his most recent start.
Mayor Of Kilcock 20-1 (10-9) Led, clear after 3 out, reduced lead before next, soon ridden, headed between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Timpo (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, lost touch 6th, 9th of 11, well behind Line Artic (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Root Cause 14-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 31l behind Flower Haven (9-8) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Victory Surge (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 15, 25l behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Thehonourablelady 6-1 (10-7) In rear, pecked 6th, plugged on after 3 out, never in contention, 6th of 13, 17l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Astracad (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, 22l behind Gilded Age (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Manjam (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden 6th, never dangerous, 11th of 12, well behind Ifandbutwhy (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ryans Good Time (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led until after 3 out, soon short of room and weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Tarabela (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Ballinderry Park (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 3out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 13l behind The Gloves Are Off (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
