chased leaders, led after 4 out, headed last, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, slow 4th, weakened before 3 out
held up, headway to chase leaders when hampered 4 out, led last, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 6 out, every chance when mistake 4 out, kept on into modest 3td
slowly into stride, behind, headway 8th, chasing leaders when outpaced and short of room 5 out, mistake next, no extra from 2 out
prominent, led after 4th, headed approaching and fell 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 6 out, behind when pulled up before 4 out
led until after 4th, remained prominent, led after 5 out, headed next, weakened after 3 out
Many of these are full of 'ifs and buts' but we'll take a flyer with one of them in LITHIC. The O'Neill inmate's form figures tell their own story but a strong case can be argued for his chance on the best of his form and he was still going along nicely enough when unseating last time. Catamaran Du Seuil is talented but frustrating and another with every chance if on a going day, whilst Admiral's Secret is one who does arrive in decent heart and commands respect. Prairie Town and Glance Back came home one-two over course and distance last month and there should be little between them at the revised weights although both may need to improve again to outpoint the aforementioned rivals.
Catamaran Du Seuil (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Led until before 2nd, chased leader, in front again narrowly 4 out until headed and not much room next, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Boldmere (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Lithic (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Towards rear, brought down 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Admiral's Secret 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, 3rd before 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied and switched left flat, stayed on, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Molineaux (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, short-lived effort after 11th, 5th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Domaine De L'Isle (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Prairie Town (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Reluctant to jump off, towards rear, headway before 6th, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Glance Back (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Celtic Rising (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, dropped to last at 6th, no impression from 3 out and eased, 5th of 6, dist behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-3) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Feb.
The Fresh Prince (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 12th, effort 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 4l behind Pawn Star (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Glance Back 6-1 (10-9) Led until 5th, led 7th, hit 3 out, soon headed, held by winner last, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Prairie Town (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
