tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened over 4f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, smooth headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden and soon one pace
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden, soon headed and weakened, pulled up over 1f out
led until ridden and headed 4f out, gradually weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, gradually weakened from over 1f out
Scale Bank may well be worth another chance but has twice been returned a beaten favourite and is taken on with First Boy although Adieu Mari has to rate a danger. The selection was backed at big odds on debut at Uttoxeter but was no match for one of Alan King's who ran out a ready winner. He handled the soft ground well enough that day, showed plenty of ability and connections will be keen to recoup their losses. Scale Bank was disappointing at Musselburgh on his reappearance given the promise that he had shown on debut; both outings came on soft ground so conditions should prove no problem and it's far too soon to be writing him off. Adieu Mari shaped with promise at Catterick and should prove capable of better now that he's got a run under his belt. Our Seb and Knockara Bay are two of the more interesting newcomers to go to post and an eye should be kept on the market but First Boy has solid claims.
Adieu Mari (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 10l behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Baileys Surprise (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 45l behind Katapult (11-1) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) sft.
Bayfirth (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Mr Lundy and hurdler Pennyhill Thyne.
First Boy 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4f out, led 3f out, headed 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Bakbenscher (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Fishing Instructor Silver Patriarch gelding out of winning jumper Super Malt.
Jimmy The Saint (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Knockara Beau (IRE) Leading Counsel gelding out of winning jumper Clairabell.
Rambling Brook Rambling Bear gelding out of winning hurdler Apollo's Daughter.
Scale Bank (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Mid-division, close up over 4f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace, 5th of 15, 19l behind Desert Vision (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) sft.
Primrose Time Alflora filly out of a moderate racemare.
Scarvagh Solitaire (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Mid-division, some headway 3f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 13, 20l behind Kingsben (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Toot Tootsie Chocolat de Meguro mare out of winning sprinter Western Valley.
Patriot (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Soon steadied in touch, smooth headway on outside 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Spanish Cruise (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Pressman 100-1 (11-5) Led until ridden and headed 4f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Desert Vision (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) sft.
