led 2nd, until 7th, soon ridden, weakened 9th
held up in rear, some headway 9th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
keen, in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
keen, in touch, led 7th, not fluent 2 out, soon clear, comfortable
led until 2nd, chased leader after, ridden 3 out, one pace
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, kept on approaching last to take 3rd
close up, jumped right 10th, weakened 3 out
always in rear, behind from 6th
mid-division, headway 9th, chased leading pair 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after 2 out, pulled up before last
Nonrunner
Sole Agent impressed when winning last time out at Folkestone and if supported in the betting then he should again run a big race; Lysander and Zorro De La Vega join Copper Bay on the shortlist. The selection had three average runs over fences but has turned in two good efforts in handicap company since gaining a mark and he is still well in here on a mark of 109 compared to his rating over hurdles. He looks progressive and should win again. Muttley Maguire's recent run looks fairly solid and he deserves respect but the fear is that he may bounce after his previously long lay-off. Of more interest then may be Copper Bay who has been running in better races but he still looks high enough in the weights at present. Zorro De La Vega steps up in trip and if this causes no problems then he should run well, whilst Lysander ran well in defeat last time out and deserves to be on the premises once again. An open contest, however Sole Agent may still be ahead of the handicapper.
Direct Access (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mcevoy (11-1) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan, 10 ran.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 18l behind Nemetan (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Sole Agent (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 9th, chased leader, kept on to lead last, won at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Atacama Star (10-13) by 5l, 8 ran.
Lysander (GER) 11-1 (11-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Mylord Collonges (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
No Complaint (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, led 14th, headed 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind Mcevoy (11-1) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) In touch, driven and outpaced after 10th, mistake 4 out, rallied from 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Major Euro (10-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) In touch, headway 8th, weakening when mistake 10th, 7th of 9, well behind The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Master Somerville 15-2 (11-8) Held up, headway after 13th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, 28l behind Never So Blue (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Copper Bay (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 8th, led 3 out, headed next, weakened, 5th of 9, 20l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Muttley Maguire (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Massini Sunset (9-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
