tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace
in rear, pushed along after 9th, ridden after 3 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 6 out, clear before 2 out, just held on
tracked leaders in 3rd, in rear from 8th, soon struggling, pulled up
in rear, soon in touch, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on from last, just held close home
led to 6 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up
Bridget Andrews will be looking for an opening race double on VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, three times a winner over hurdles and having his first run for Dan Skelton from a very lowly mark. He may be rejuvenated by a change of surroundings so gets the nod in a poor contest. The veteran Skint was in winning form a year ago and bounced back at Southwell last week so may not be finished winning yet. Appletree Lane has only had two starts over hurdles and shown nothing while Global Domination ran poorly when well supported at Market Rasen last time, though he'd done much better on this track earlier. Thomas Blossom didn't run badly on his debut over fences at Doncaster and could provide the main threat.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Doktor Glaz (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Vote Of Confidence (USA) 50-1 (11-6) Led until slow 2nd, stayed handy, jumped left 6th, lost place from 12th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Pretty Reckless (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Skint 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, challenged before 6th, led after 8th, hit 10th, slow and went left last, headed flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Skipping On (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Appletree Lane 4-1 (11-3) Chased winner, jumped right 5th, lost 2nd next, jumped slowly and in rear 9th, tailed off, last of 5, 33 1/4l behind Stoical Patient (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Global Domination 7-4fav (11-7) With leaders, led or disputed lead from 5th, blundered and good recovery by rider 13th, ridden and outpaced by winner approaching 3 out, lost 2nd next, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 32 1/4l behind The Last Bridge (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Touch Of Steel (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up after, at Towcester 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.