tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, led flat, driven out
led, mistake 7th, soon headed, stayed prominent, 2nd when blundered badly 16th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 17th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-divsion, pushed along 16th, weakened next
with leader, led after 7th, ridden when hit last, headed flat, stayed on
in touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
held up, mistake 10th, headway 12th, mistake 17th, ridden after 2 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
held up, behind when mistake 14th, soon pulled up and dismounted
behind, hit 13th, headway 16th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Plenty of these are open to improvement, but Home James ran a blinder in defeat against some potentially top-class novices last month and he is expected to be hard to beat with a similar effort this afternoon. The hat-trick seeking Farlington along with the improving Edmo Yewkay are forwarded as the main dangers, while a move for Meggie's Gamble looks virtually assured if his connections take the view that the handicapper is right in his assumption that he is 3lb well in at the weights today. However, it was a weak maiden race that Venetia Williams' charge won and a 7lb penalty may be his undoing in this company. Farlington has been consistent and fully deserved his to get his head in front in his last two starts. However, he is also creeping up the ratings and has a lot more on his plate today. Edmo Yewkay was a slightly fortunate winner at Wetherby last month and also has improvement to find from somewhere. Especially when the claims of Home James are factored in, as the selection has already fared well against much more capable opponents and he looks a good bet to cope with top weight today.
Home James (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, hit and reminders 5th, ridden approaching 12th, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 30l behind L'ami at Warwick 3m nov chs (B) sft in Jan.
Farlington Evensfav Made all, hit 2nd, mistake 10th, clear when hit last, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (E) gd in Aug beating Rookery Lad by 7l, 3 ran.
Macnance (IRE) 9-4fav Chased winner, hit 1st, driven along from 9th, led last, no extra when headed final strides, 2nd of 6, nk behind Waterspray at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Meggie's Beau (IRE) 9-2 In touch, challenged 3 out, soon led, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (E) gs beating What A Man by 5l, 8 ran.
Fullards 8-1 Led, ridden and headed approaching 9th, weakened quickly, 5th of 9, well behind Ice Crystal at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Jan.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 5-1 In rear, hit 6th, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, left disputing lead 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well to go clear last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Jan beating Stormy Lord by 14l, 4 ran.
Cimmaroon (IRE) 7-1 Held up behind, smooth headway after 3 out, every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Turaath at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Clever Thyne (IRE) 12-1 In touch, tracked leader 11th, left in lead 3 out, soon headed, led again approaching last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (E) gd in Jan beating Noble Baron by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
