held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, keen, weakened 3 out
led, headed 3 out, every chance, weakened from last
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 7th, no chance when fell 2 out
held up behind, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed run-in, one pace
held up, headway approaching 2 out, led run-in
chased leaders, every chance run-in, edged right last 100 yards, one pace
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied run-in
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
Despite lumping top weight Watch My Back is our choice with Deedeetee and Bright Sparky offered as the alternatives. Nicky Richards' charge made a long awaited return to the racecourse having landed a Kelso bumper in very impressive style during May '06. He appears as if he is crying out for an increase in trip but with his form having a progressive look about it he should prove difficult to beat. While this is his toughest test to date, a handicap mark of 110 may just be lenient with a horse open to so much improvement. Deedeetee justified strong market support on his penultimate start but was most disappointing last time. Up 12lb for that success two starts back, it remains to be seen whether that increase anchored him or a change of tactics. He certainly appears most effective when forceful tactics are applied. His effort behind Ri Na Deise at Ballinrobe in September would make you think he could still be a step ahead of the assessor. Bright Sparky is interesting although would probably prefer a quicker surface. With a capable 7lb claimer on board he is worthy of consideration. He can certainly get competitive off his mark while Berwick Law is another unexposed sort but this is likely to be too sharp. Watch My Back appears as though further improvement may be in the locker and he is selected to land this off top weight.
Watch My Back 5-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, hampered 1st, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, just held on, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Dec beating My Arch (10-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Hush Tiger 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 18l behind Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Deedeetee (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-9) Tracked winner, hit 6th, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 23l behind McGruders Cross (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Berwick Law (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 5th of 15, 26l behind Starting Point (11-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Bright Sparky (GER) 13-2 (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 7th of 10, 39l behind Mujamead (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 8th, 6th of 8, 40l behind Bobby Gee (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Lambrini Legend (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, kept on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 14, 9l behind King Mak (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Bollin Ruth 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 27l behind Inch High (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Macchiato 28-1 (10-8) In touch, blundered 4th, outpaced when stumbled approaching 4 out, soon behind, 12th of 15, well behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Daniel's Dream 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 7th, 9th of 13, 44l behind The Shy Man (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
