tracked leader, hit 4 out and 3 out, soon slightly outpaced, led after 2 out, soon challenged, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, headway after 3 out, no impression
held up, keen, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
held up in rear, slow 6th, beaten 4 out
prominent, led 3 out, headed after next, soon rallied, mistake last, no extra flat
held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, effort when mistake next, stayed on into 2nd after last, never reached leaders
held up, never dangerous
chased leaders, effort on inner 2 out, kept on into 3rd, never a threat
led, not fluent, hit 4 out, headed when hit next, lost place before 2 out
Ballyhome is the most talented of these but it's best to wait until he signals a return to form after his two latest runs. Maybe going back hurdling will rekindle his spark, in which case he'd be dangerous. In contrast, Sermando was much improved when scoring at Huntingdon and a 4lb rise seems fair. He's a key player with conditions and trip to suit. However, STARSKY (NAP), whilst far from being a stable star, has been steadily progressing for the champion trainer, looks on a fair mark and Lorcan Williams takes off a further useful 3lb. More improvement is anticipated and he gets the nod. Flash De Clerval has shown more than enough in three starts to play a prominent role too.
Ballyhome (IRE) 13-8fav (12-1) Held up in touch, not fluent 10th, close 3rd last bend, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Sermando (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, led last, stayed on, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Twenty Twenty (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Our Dot's Baby (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Darlyn (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Flash De Clerval (FR) 6-4fav (11-11) Led, ridden after 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, not recover, 4th of 8, 8l behind Off The Beat (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Northern Bound (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, headed 2nd tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up next, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Steady Away (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, not fluent 6th, headway chasing leaders 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, 31l behind The Big Breakaway (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Farmer Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden and no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Strong Glance (12-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Starsky (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along challenging for well held 2nd 2 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 16, 8 1/4l behind Lightly Squeeze (12-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Envol De La Cour (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Led to 4th, weakening when hit 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
