tracked leaders on inside, lost place before 5th, closed 7th, weakened before 2 out
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent, mistake 5th, ridden and lost place before 7th, soon behind
led until not fluent 5th, evey chance after 4 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold, held up in rear, not always fluent, some headway after 7th, well beaten 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, mistake and chased winner 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
held up, not fluent 6th, headway after next, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression, weakened before last
The most competitive race on the card has been saved until last and most have decent claims on their best form. Brass Monkey is a model of consistency but arguably a shade high in the weights now. Plumpton runner-up Goochypoochyprader struggles to stay this far while Caught By Witness had been beaten in sellers prior to his second at Sedgefield. Halucha's best form has been over further while Market Option has managed just one win in 10 career starts and needs further help from the handicapper. There's a chance that MIDNIGHT REQUEST is a lot better than he's shown so far and a step up in distance is long overdue. He gets a tentative vote, though a market check is advised and Detour Ahead is a viable alternative as he's yet to finish out of the frame when encountering today's conditions.
Market Option (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased winner until before 3 out, no extra last, 7th of 9, 13l behind Di Kaprio (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Brass Monkey (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 22l behind Maller Tree (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Detour Ahead 6-1 (11-4) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, not fluent and headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Come On Annie (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Goochypoochyprader 9-2 (11-11) Reluctant to line up and led in, chased leader until dropped to 4th approaching 3 out, rallied to 2nd again and hit 2 out, driven and stayed on same pace between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Clonusker (10-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Epic Storm (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, jumped right 4 out, in remote 4th before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, well behind Wadswick Court (11-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Kayf Moss 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place after 6th, well beaten before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Deputy Dan (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Midnight Request 7-2 (11-1) Behind, struggling 6th, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 13l behind Kozmina Bay (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Caught By Witness (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never nearer, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Markem (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Halucha (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Led until after 3 out, one pace 2 out, ran on flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Fountains Mary (11-6) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Westerly Breeze (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Led early, led again before 2nd, soon headed, stayed handy, not fluent 8th, 3rd and weakening 2 out, 3rd of 8, 36l behind Carole's Destrier (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) hvy.
