towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider last
held up towards rear, headway 7th, led on bit approaching last, quickened clear flat
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden and one pace 2 out, no chance with winner
led, headed approaching last, no extra flat
towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, struggling halfway
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
prominent, every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, pushed along after 6th, weakened next
chased leaders to 3 out, weakened next, pulled up flat
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden and one pace next
Surricate has shown an ability to handle any ground and is fancied to complete the hat-trick today at the main expense of Supreme Leisure and Stagecoach Opal. Ferdy Murphy's five-year old has acquitted himself well over hurdles this winter and with his stable still firing in the winners, the selection is fancied to be staying on too strongly for these and can land the contest. Laouen is returning from a monster lay-off and whilst he has the quality, it can be assumed that he may need the run. Merrymaker is consistent and cannot be ruled out for his strong stable, whilst Endless Power has very solid claims given his excellent recent form. The penny has finally dropped for Jim Goldie's runner this winter and he should be there or thereabouts. Moyne Pleasure disappointed when last seen but had previously won well over course and distance so cannot be discounted, along with Stagecoach Opal who beat the selection on Boxing Day but has been beaten twice since. He could return with a bang however for the winner we will return to Ferdy Murphy's Surricate.
Stagecoach Opal 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Ice Tea (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, slow 7th and fell at the 8th in race won by Thedreamstillalive (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in Mar, 5 ran.
Laouen (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden from last, kept on to lead close home, all out, won at Kelso 2m 2f int hdl (B) gd in May '03 beating Showpiece (11-5) by a nk, 8 ran.
Surricate (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Led, headed approaching 5th, led again 2 out, jumped left last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Scarvagh Diamond (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Endless Power (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-5) Soon led, driven out from 2 out, drew clear, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar beating Tell Henry (10-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 66-1 (11-6) Towards rear, outpaced 2 out, kept on late, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Prince Among Men 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 23l behind Forthright (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Feb.
Merrymaker 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, soon ridden and hit last, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Key Time (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
