chased leaders, ridden when hit 3 out, soon weakened and eased, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and lost place after 3rd, soon behind
in touch, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
always behind, pulled up approaching 4th
mid-division, ridden after 4th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, not fluent last, headed close home
behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied gamely to lead close home
prominent and jumped left, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
in touch until approaching 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch to 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 5th, soon weakened
towards rear, reminders after 3rd, headway 4th, ridden after next, weakening when hit 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
In a modest contest, North Lodge is selected ahead of Danebank and Shaamit The Vaamit. North Lodge has not done too much wrong, winning at Hereford then running well when finishing second at Doncaster. Much as he has been raised five pounds for that latest effort, this is not a strong event and he is entitled to full respect. Danebank travelled well for a long way when third over a longer trip at Warwick off today's mark two runs ago. In a weak race, he appears to hold every chance of going well at this trip based on that run, although he was disappointing when well behind the selection at Doncaster last time. A return to the form that saw him finish fourth to Nanga Parbat at Newbury in March would give Salt Cellar a shout, and Shaamit The Vaamit ran the gambled on Return Home close at Warwick last time and might be good for some money. Make My Hay ran the well-supported The Hairy Lemon close at Warwick last time and would hold claims based on that, although he is a little bit quirky. Smoothly Does It is a potential improver, while Amnesty was beaten a whisker at Plumpton two runs ago, but is now five pounds higher in the ratings. Of the others, Blue Mariner is a potential improver but we are happy to side with North Lodge.
North Lodge (GER) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Salt Cellar (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division when fell at the 8th in race won by Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Danebank (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, last of 17, well behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Blue Mariner 14-1 (11-7) Held up, headway before 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace, 5th of 18, 12l behind Gustavo (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Amnesty 12-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 6th, headed approaching next, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 12, 25l behind Alph (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Tech Eagle (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, blundered 2 out, kept on, never near to challenge, 5th of 25, 32l behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Smoothly Does It 50-1 (10-9) Rear division, moderate headway from 2 out, but never in contention, 8th of 25, 43l behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Make My Hay 9-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Shaamit The Vaamit (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed next, rallied flat, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Return Home (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl (4) sft.
One Wild Night 12-1 (10-7) Took keen hold in touch, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 13, well behind Harringay (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Bollitree Bob 16-1 (11-2) Pulled early and held up last, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 25l behind Ishka Baha (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Pick of The Crop 66-1 (10-10) Close up, ridden and weakened after 6th, 5th of 14, 27l behind Alph (11-1) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Ndola 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 17, 7l behind Darkshape (10-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Lake Imperial (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened 5th, 7th of 15, 30l behind Sunday City (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Monroe Gold 50-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 11, 23l behind Killing Me Softly (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Dec.
Explode 100-1 (11-0) Ridden after 3rd, always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Circassian (11-0) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Upright Ima 5-1 (9-11) Held up, headway after 5th, soon chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 16, 14l behind True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.
