held up towards rear, some headway 13th, weakened before 3 out
towards rear when bad mistake and fell 5th
prominent, ridden and hampered 15th, weakened before last
towards rear when bad mistake and fell 12th
held up mid-field, hard ridden 14th, weakened before 3 out
in rear, hampered on rails after 10th, headway 3 out, led 2 out, wandered left after last, headed and no extra close home
tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, one pace
chased leaders, led 14th, ridden and narrow lead when fell 15th
held up, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened
soon led, headed 14th, still every chance after 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
in rear, headway 14th, left in lead 15th, headed 2 out, rallied after last to lead close home, all out
The most-valuable race on the card and a good contest ahead. Hurricane Lamp (one of two c/d winners in the race - the other being Another Raleagh), won over c/d in November (from a mark of 132, no 135) although this mark would represent a career-high one that he would be winning from. He was pulled up behind Another Raleagh last time (over c/d) from a mark of 117 (now 125) but, a lightly raced novice, should continue to improve. Nordance Prince (now 6lbs better off for eight-and-a-half lengths) was third at Kempton that day but had been absent since April 2002 beforehand so is entitled to strip fitter. There is no doubt that Nordance Prince is well handicapped on the best of his form from two years ago (beat Flagship Uberalles - who was conceding 24lbs - in the Victor Chandler Chase from a mark of 142, now 132 less rider's 5lb claim). Odagh Odyssey has won five of his last seven races, and risen from a mark of 93 to 131 as a consequence. He'd be doing well to win this after a 413-day absence. Moonshine Bay has a 297-day absence to overcome. He won twice last year (from a high of 125, now 130) and he will probably be sharper for the outing. He is sometimes reluctant to race but has plenty of ability. Zaffamore has won two of his three chases, including beating Montreal in good style last time. A handicap mark of 130 looks a touch on the high side although he has the scope to keep on improving. It will be interesting to see how he acts round here as he is a long-striding gelding. Ashley Muck is back on a winning mark, but his last win came in September 2001. Lightly raced since then, he's been disappointing on his last two runs but cannot be discounted after running up a sequence of five in 2001. However, others are preferred. Dealer's Choice has won three of his last seven races (the latest from 107, now 116). His overall form, though, makes others more appealing. Un Jour A Vassy is 4lbs higher than for his Southwell win of November 2001 (his most recent). However, he had looked a useful novice before that and, back at his best trip, is entitled to go well off his current mark. Mighty Strong won from a mark of 103 in October (now 114 less rider's 3lb allowance) but has struggled to complete since. Avalanche, who just gets into the handicap on his proper mark, has run only twice over fences. He is difficult to keep sound but won a maiden chase on his seasonal return and then was travelling well when falling at Wincanton. He can't be discounted from his current mark and is the selection.
