close up, hit 7th, led after 4 out, in command 2 out, stayed on well
behind, driven along and not going well from 7th, lost touch 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
close up, driven after 4 out, 5th and no chance when blundered 3 out
chased leaders, driven and stayed on same pace from 4 out
behind, hit 7th, blundered 15th, no chance from next
led, narrowly headed 12th to 14th, headed soon after 4 out, chased winner to 2 out, weakened quickly, finished tired
close up, challenged 12th to 13th, lost place after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, narrow lead 12th to 14th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
jumped poorly in rear, driven after 9th, tailed off 13th, pulled up before 15th
Sam Thomas claims 3lbs as he is riding for his own stable and that may make the difference so City Poser is preferred to Metal Detector and Jack Fuller. The selection comes from a stable in form and showed his turn would not be far away when a respectable third over today's trip at Huntingdon last time; a reproduction of that effort may suffice. News Maker may just have needed the run at Newbury last month, his first outing since October, and is worth keeping an eye on along with Jack Fuller who holds solid claims on the pick of his form. The Richard Phillips-trained Inland Run is inconsistent but has to be respected on the pick of his form although a bigger threat may come from Metal Detector. Kim Bailey's gelding has been thereabouts in most of his races this term until disappointing last time but should be involved again today. Glanamana and Ice Cool Lad are others worthy of a mention but it is City Poser who gets the vote with the claim of Sam Thomas expected to be decisive.
News Maker (IRE) 20-1 In touch until weakened quickly 2 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by King Harald at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Tommy Carson 40-1 In touch, outpaced and behind from 14th, no chance when mistake next, 11th of 17, well behind Ulusaba at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Metal Detector (IRE) 16-1 Held up last, reminders 3rd, lost touch 4 out, soon tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bathwick Annie at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jan.
Jack Fuller (IRE) 6-1 Held up mid-division, badly hampered 4th, ridden 11th, soon lost touch, 11th of 15, well behind Fearless Mel at Taunton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
City Poser (IRE) 22-1 Prominent, led 7th, headed 11th, ridden and led again 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Gray's Eulogy at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Adalie 25-1 Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 5th, soon behind, 9th of 11, 28l behind Killing Me Softly at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Jan.
Tradingup (IRE) 14-1 Held up mid-division, ridden 7th, behind from 8th, 6th of 9, well behind Blue Business at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Glanamana (IRE) 4-1 Led to 6th, mistake 8th, weakened approaching 14th, last of 8, well behind Monty's Double at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Jan.
Inland Run (IRE) 9-2jt-fav Towards rear, mistake 13th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Place Above at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Ice Cool Lad (IRE) 9-1 Held up rear, some headway approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened, eased flat, 8th of 12, 43l behind Lord Seamus at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in May.
Alcatras (IRE) 7-1 Chased leaders, close 4th when fell at the 14th in race won by Happy Hussar at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Jan, 9 ran.