always towards rear
held up in touch, outpaced 7th, stayed on from 2 out
led, headed approaching 2 out when weakening
held up, outpaced 6th, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, no impression
with leader, led approaching 2 out, kept on from last
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, reminders 5th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
mistakes, always behind
in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on from last
Thoutmosis, Smart Boy Prince and Marsh Run make it on to the shortlist, with the vote going to Thoutmosis. The selection was progressive last season, and he won from a mark of 113 at Perth in May. Much he is now five pounds higher and was also beaten on his return for the season, he probably needed that run and can be seen in a better light today. Smart Boy Prince beat yesterday's impressive Plumpton novice winner Anticipating at Towcester in October and was not disgraced behind All Star at Huntingdon last time and warrants respect. Marsh Run continues to progress and, even though she has been raised four pounds for a Hexham defeat, has a good attitude and can go well again. Turning to the others and Vicars Destiny is back to a course and distance-winning mark from May 2004 and holds claims if back to her best, while County Classic actually holds Marsh Run on maiden hurdle form of a year ago and has been running pretty well of late, although she was pulled up behind Marsh Run at Hexham last time. The others have a bit to prove now, we reckon, which returns us to the selection, which is Thoutmosis.
Thoutmosis (USA) 4-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway and prominent 4 out, outpaced 2 out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Tynedale (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Turgeonev (FR) 100-1 (10-2) In touch, mistake and lost place 4 out, tailed off when unseated rider at the last in race won by Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 19, 16l behind All Star (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Marsh Run 8-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Texas Holdem (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
County Classic 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Texas Holdem (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Basinet 16-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Merryvale Man 25-1 (10-1) Led to 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, last of 14, well behind Diamond Sal (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Di's Dilemma 13-2fav (10-1) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon strongly challenged, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
