tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, still every chance 2 out, no extra last
held up, headway after 4th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 7th, headway after 14th, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well
led to 3rd, with leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, pulled hard, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, mistake 12th, always behind, tailed off
held up, mistake 5th, lost touch approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
A moderate maiden chase and PROF DE L'ISLE can take this at the expense of Cloud Nine and Backfromthecongo. The gelding has already had plenty of chances but the stable have done well with their runners at this venue in the past and with race fitness assured, we believe that today can be a red letter day. Cloud Nine does have it to prove on fast ground. He'd shaped with a modicum of promise earlier in his career for rookie handler, Nick Mitchell, and should have come on for a reappearance. Backfromthecongo is rated in the 90's. He did not do too much wrong at Ludlow in an amateur riders contest and Ollie Greenall is well worth his 3lb claim. Morning Moment was third of four in a Uttoxeter event though had previously won a couple of point to points. Major Card is entitled to have improved for his first experience of life at this side of the English Channel. This looks a very ordinary race by the track's standards and Prof De L'Isle makes most appeal in a race unlikely to make too many headlines.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) In touch, went 2nd 5th, led after 10th, headed approaching 4 out, every chance flat, just held close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Stoneriggs Merc (11-3) at Ludlow 3m am hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Cloud Nine (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Prominent, challenged after 8th until before 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 30l behind Take The Breeze (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Gaining Ground (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Prominent, reminded 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Sullumo (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Hillridge 5-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden and some progress 6th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Might As Well (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Major Card (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, went 4th from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 33l behind Charingworth (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd in Nov.
Morning Moment 9-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, hit 7th, pushed along 12th, mistake and stumbled 14th, went 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, 3rd of 4, 41l behind Finney (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner after next, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Sea Cadet (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Wadswick Ben 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold in rear, jumped left and mistake 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent 8th (water), lost touch 14th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Inchidaly Rock (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov stks (3) sft in Nov.
Gift Of The Gods (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, hampered 3rd, lost place 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Marked Man (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
