towards rear, headway on outer from 6th, no impression
tracked leaders, led after 9th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
close up, led 6th, headed after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in mid-division, weakened 4 out
led, hit 5th, headed next, one pace 2 out
held up in mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression
held up in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear
held up in rear, soon struggling, detached when fell 2 out
After a taking victory last time BID ART is given the call despite having a penalty to carry with Wiesenfurst looking the main danger and Laharna could be value for each-way backers. 14 lengths was the margin of victory for the pick has he took advantage of a low looking mark to score in his first handicap since leaving Novice company. If in the same mood the extra 7lbs on his back is unlikely to stop a repeat and with plenty of doubts about the others he is a confident pick. Wiesenfurst is a little inconsistent but has a chance based on his short-head defeat in horrible conditions two starts ago but with a little to prove on this ground and after his run last time he is overlooked here. Laharna is looking dangerously well treated now 4lbs below his last winning rating. He has been out of form in recent starts but a place looks a distinct possibility. Lord Gunnerslake still looks a little high in the handicap as does Ilewin Tom so in a race that shouldn't take much winning Bid Art looks a stand-out choice.
Laharna 10-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 7, 29l behind Sarahs Gift (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Fort Severn (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 11, 38l behind Flower Haven (9-8) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Gainsborough's Art (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led on inside, headed 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Ban Uisce (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Safe Investment (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Chased winner to 3rd and dropped to last, lost touch 7th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind King Edmund (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd.
Bid Art (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Made all, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Space Cowboy (10-11) by 14l, 9 ran.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 3-1 (11-12) In rear, went poor 4th 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, never dangerous, 6th of 8, well behind Littleton Aldor (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Mar.
Ilewin Tom 17-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Good Old Days (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) In touch main group, hit and lost place 5th, dropped rear next, soon struggling, 5th and beaten when jumped right 2 out, 5th of 6, 28l behind Glimmer of Light (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f sell hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Simplified 150-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, mistake and rider lost irons briefly 1st, headway to join leader after 2nd until 4th, last 7th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Circus Of Dreams (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chase (4) hvy in Mar.
Galley Slave (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) In rear, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 40l behind Woodlark Island (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
