chased leader to 7th, soon ridden along, lost place before next, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd next, soon ridden, led after 3 out, wandering under pressure before last, edged left flat, all out
prominent, not fluent 4th, mistake 8th, weakened approaching next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 6th, reminded after next, closed after 8th, mistake 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, always held
pulled hard, held up, pushed along after 7th, weakened approaching next, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
led, headed when not fluent 8th, beaten when mistake 3 out
prominent, raced keenly, hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, raced keenly, not fluent when went 2nd 7th, led next, jumped left and hit 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd when blundered 2 out, weakend last
held up in rear, mistakes, effort 9th, soon no impression, went modest 4th after 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Alan King can take this handicap hurdle with PORTSIDE, although a case can also be made for Bob 'n' You and The Fabricator. The selection should be spot-on for this after a couple of runs this season and he stayed-on well to take third last time behind Cross Kennon. He has trip and ground to suit and he looks capable of winning off his current mark. Bob 'n' You was the subject of market support last time when he finished fourth behind Wardington Lad at Towcester. He was returning from a break that day so there should be more to come, although his ability to see out this longer trip is unproven. There should be no such worries with The Fabricator who ran well last time on his return from a break. If he can settle better tonight than he did on that occasion then he could be a leading player. Markington has been off the racecourse since November so he might just need this pipe-opener, while Ticket To Ride looks to be on a decent mark and could go well at a price. However, we will stick with Portside to lead them home.
Markington 9-2 (10-7) Chased winner until 4th, soon pushed along, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind At The Money (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Island Arrow (IRE) 5-1fav (11-7) Towards rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase leader 4 out, ridden and weakened last, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Farmers Cross (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Artist's Return (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden 6th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Honest John (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Portside (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) In touch, led after 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Cross Kennon (10-8) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Skip The Present (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Slowly away, took keen hold in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 42l behind Acordeon (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) With leader, led 7th to next, weakened 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind And Whatever Else (11-4) at Perth 3m 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gd.
Arthurian (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 6th, went 3rd 7th, soon outpaced, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Lilac (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gd.
Cortesia (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 18, 32l behind Dizzy Future (11-4) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
The Fabricator (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, keen, led approaching and hit 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Simple Glory (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Zelos (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened soon after next, last of 12, well behind King Gabriel (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gf.
Bob 'n' You (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Always prominent, ridden after 2 out, edged slightly right, close 3rd last, kept on, 4th of 17, 1 3/4l behind Wardington Lad (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, pushed along approaching 9th, soon outpaced, kept on 2 out, 4th of 16, 3l behind Simple Glory (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
