chased leaders, went 2nd before 11th, with leader 14th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, lost place before 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on, driven out
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 12th
towards rear, jumped slow 3rd, pushed along 15th, weakened 14th
led to 5th, lost place before 9th, headway before 6 out, led before 4 out, not fluent last, soon ridden, headed run-in, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish
in rear, ridden before 13th, weakened before 15th, pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 5th, headed before 4 out, every chance last, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner towards finish
Star Beat has been taking on better opposition this term while Richard Johnson is an eye-catching jockey booking for Tim Easterby's Monsieur Jourdain but the handicapper may have just opened the door sufficiently for OUTLAW TOM, a winner over 4m here in the autumn, to recapture the winning thread as he's a little less exposed than most of these. Esme Rides A Gaine came back to form over a longer trip here 10 days ago but races from 4lb out of the handicap while Sir Tamburlane is trying this trip for the first time. La Pantera Rosa showed a bit more at Market Rasen last time, however, and is well handicapped if rediscovering his best.
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 6th, behind 12th, 7th of 11, 27l behind Mac Aeda (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Ardnaclancy (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In touch on outside, lost place before 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Papa Caruso (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Outlaw Tom (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Close up, led 2nd, headed after 5th, weakened 5 out, 6th of 9, 11l behind Harris Hawk (10-3) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) With leader, led 7th, headed 9th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 6, 15l behind Merigo (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, hit next, 6th of 7, 29l behind Imperial Shabra (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Sir Tamburlane (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, led 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 7th, headed after last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Rich Lord (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Chased leading pair, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to press for 2nd when hit 3 out, went 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Sycho Fred (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
Esme Rides A Gaine 11-2 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced 4 out, headway approaching last, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Dove Hill (11-12) at Hexham 4m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Star Beat 14-1 (11-3) Hampered 1st, in rear, behind 13th, went remote 5th last, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Reblis (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.