tracked leading pair until 4th, remained handy, went 2nd on downhill run before 2 out, led 2 out, soon clear, idled towards finish, always doing enough
chased leaders, went 3rd at 4th, 2nd approaching 3 out until long run before next, weakened into 4th before that flight
always behind, weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leader until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, clear when flattened 3 out, pushed along when blundered and headed next, no chance to recover, closed on idling winner towards finish, always held
held up in last pair, modest 4th approaching 3 out, went 3rd before next, no chance with 1st 2
NonRunner
NonRunner
The Game Is A Foot is a dual course winner and loves soft ground but the veteran hasn’t raced in 11 months. Tara Bridge is having a first run since March and racing over hurdles for the first time in a year while Mr Fitzroy is also returning from an absence. But fitness shouldn’t be an issue with any of the others and Arthington is starting to look interesting as his handicap mark continues to tumble. Cabernet D'Alene may well have won at Leicester last month had he stayed on his feet but that was only a seller and he changed hands in the subsequent auction. Final Choice won a novelty race here in November but was beaten when departing at Fontwell on Boxing Day but Fiesole was taking on strong opposition on his first run for Olly Murphy. CLAYTON wasn’t given a hard time on his reappearance over track and trip and will strip fitter today so gets a tentative vote.
Arthington 20-1 (11-11) Prominent, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Our Merlin (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Final Choice 8-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 5th, weakened before 4 out, unseated rider 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cabernet D'Alene (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Close up, tracked leader 3rd, dropped to rear by omitted 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Leicester 2m (4) gf in Dec.
Tara Bridge 5-4fav (11-12) Tracking leader when pitched on landing and fell 1st, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Clayton 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 9, 18 1/2l behind The Gipper (10-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
The Game Is A Foot (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, headway 3 out, soon left 2nd, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Shanroe Saint (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Fiesole 20-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 21, 18 1/4l behind Mohaayed (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Disputed lead until ridden before 2 out when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 16 1/2l behind Lord County (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
