always in rear, hit 10th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching next, no impression from 2 out
towards rear, ridden 13th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, outpaced from 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, hit 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, one pace, edged badly left flat
held up in touch, weakened from 14th
led to 3rd, reminders approaching 12th, soon lost place and pulled up
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, took closer order approaching 15th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, driven out
A dour chase in which CLASSIC ROCK is the call with Lord Collingwood and Jackie Boy the others to watch out for. The veteran does have an ugly run of second places against his name but with trip and going proving no obstacle, he is a relatively reliable conveyance. Lord Collingwood stays further than this. The handicapper finally appears to be giving him some sort of chance having rated him much higher twelve months ago. Jackie Boy can be forgiven a below par effort last time out and we can expect a better display this time around on genuinely good going. Phar Again and Kalmo Bay have proved difficult to catch right though were they to turn up with their "A" game - they cannot be ruled out. Ukrainian Star was backed off the boards for a weak race last weekend and faces a tougher task at these weights. Bertenbar produced his best effort of his career when fifth in a moderate race at Hereford. The handicapper clearly didn't share that thought though as he has dropped him 3lbs since. Not the most inspiring race to be dogmatic about and Classic Rock could gain due reward for consistency.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Behind, some headway 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 12, well behind Quito Du Tresor (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.
Phar Again (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, led after 5th until hit 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 20l behind Porta Vogie (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Sandymac (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) In rear, soon pushed along, mid-division 11th, struggling 13th, 9th of 15, 49l behind Whitewater Dash (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, blundered 14th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, held when blundered last, no extra when lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 12l behind Star Beat (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Jackie Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Prominent, stumbled 2nd, mistake 12th, soon ridden, weakened before next, 7th of 12, well behind Noakarad De Verzee (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Classic Rock 4-1 (11-8) Prominent, went 3rd after 9th,led approaching 5 out, mistake and headed next, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Wide Receiver (11-1) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Lahinch Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Led, headed and lost place 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Finbin (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May, 7 ran.
Bertenbar 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 17, 19l behind Overlaw (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 13-8fav (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd after 12th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Gemini Storm (9-8) at Leicester 2m 4f Am hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
