tracked leaders, reminders after 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up
held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
made all, not fluent last, kept on well
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on and no impression
with leader, outpaced from 2 out
PADDOCKS LOUNGE was second to Swaledale Lad at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and meets sixth Smart Catch on better terms. He looks to have found his level and can go one better today with the champion jockey taking over the reins. Rock Of Leon won at Worcester the last time he raced over hurdles and blinkers are applied for the first time. Great Link was second here last month but beaten a long way at Fakenham on New Year’s Day. Thunder Pass has yet to make the frame over hurdles while Scales has been looking a light of former days, though runs in his first seller today.
Howaboutnever (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led until 9th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Hey Bill (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Rock Of Leon 66-1 (10-7) Behind when jinled left and unseated rider soon after 1st, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Great Link 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden and slightly outpaced, kept on to go 3rd again last, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Bowdler's Magic (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f (5) gs in Jan.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Swaledale Lad (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Scales (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In rear, took keen hold, closed from 5th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Wolftrap (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Smart Catch (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden 3 out, some headway next, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Swaledale Lad (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Thunder Pass (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 8th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 13, 29 1/4l behind Abbeygrey (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
