in touch on outside, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd between last 2, no chance with 1st 2
held up, headway when hit 3 out, effort when mistake next, weakened between last 2
in touch, lost place 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
made most to 3 out, outpaced next, 4.5l down last, rallied flat, stayed on well towards finish, just held
always behind
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, with leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and 4.5l clear last, kept on under pressure flat, just held on
Etched in Stone has been a model of consistency and can win again at the expense of Basoda and Treasured Memories. The selection has risen in the weights once again for finishing second to Quality Control at Kelso last time out but still looks like he may be one step ahead of the handicapper. He is still lightly raced and if stripping fitter after his latest run he will take all the beating. Basoda runs off a mark of 115 on his handicap debut. Connections must feel he is better off in a handicap rather than trying to win another novice event with a penalty so any market moves should be noted. Treasured Memories put a few disappointing runs behind him when winning at Ayr back in September. He then ran well off a 7 pound higher mark over a shorter trip at the same venue and now fresh from a little break he has to be respected off a nice racing weight so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Etched in Stone.
In Dream's (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led, mistake 8th, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Matcho Pierji (10-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Basoda 16-1 (10-9) In touch, led 9th, clear approaching last, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Doctor Kilbride (11-1) by 16l, 12 ran.
Vicario 33-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Wind Instrument (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd, 15 ran.
Mr Preacher Man 6-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced 8th, behind when pulled up in race won by Companero (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Etched In Stone (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Led, ridden last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Totally Scottish 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 17, 29l behind Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Piraeus (NZ) 33-1 (11-11) Always behind, 14th of 17, well behind Quality Control (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Lethem Air 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened 7th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Springaway (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 11 ran.
Treasured Memories 9-2 (10-12) In touch, every chance between 4 out and 3 out, ridden, mistake 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Overserved (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Boris The Blade 9-4 (11-8) Held up, always behind, 7th of 11, 32l behind Topaz Lady (11-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
