behind, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up and keen, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, hit 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
behind and never going well, pushed along after 2nd, driven and headway approaching 3 out, led last, stayed on
held up, headway after 6th, ridden after next, 6th and weakening when ran out 3 out
led, headed after 1st, led again 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
keen, led after 1st to 4th, weakened approaching 7th
in touch to 6th, soon behind
chased leaders to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Westmeath Flyer was pulled up last time but can bounce back at the expense of Biscar Two, It's My Party and Front Rank to name but a few. At the age of 11 there is certainly not much improvement in Westmeath Flyer, but the Nicky Richards-trained gelding was good enough to land three of his four outings last year, and in fact may well have remained unbeaten had he not fallen two out at Perth when disputing the lead. Pulled up on his return at Bangor in December, he takes a drop in class here and should make that count. Biscar Two scraped home in testing conditions at Chepstow in December and was totally outclassed behind Denman at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. He too will be helped by the drop in grade and can reach the frame at least. It's My Party's second in a Taunton seller leaves him something to find, and Front Rank has to give weight away to his rivals, so preference is for Westmeath Flyer.
Front Rank (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 29l behind Gustavo (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Rojabaa 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 16, 15l behind True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.
Westmeath Flyer 12-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Valley Ride (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Biscar Two (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Always in rear, lost touch 6th, last of 8, well behind Denman (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
It's My Party 5-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, headway on 6th approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Urban Dream (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Desertmore Chief (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Took keen hold in rear, struggling 5th, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Paddy Boy (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Silverpro 50-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, behind from halfway, 8th of 10, 44l behind Emmasflora (10-5) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Ashleybank House (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Secret Jewel (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 44l behind Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Astronaut 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pulled along 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 13, 50l behind Chickapeakray (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
