in touch, headway to chase leader 6th, chased winner from 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace from last
with leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, led 4th, hit 7th, headed 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
led 4th, weakened after 7th
held up, ridden after 5th, tailed off on next, pulled up before 7th
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 3 out, ridden next, jumped left last, driven out
held up, headway 6th, outpaced from 3 out
A competitive affair on paper can go the way of Atlantic Jane over the likes of Brumous, Border Castle and Birdwatch to name but a few. Atlantic Jane cased something of a shock when scoring at odds of 40-1 for Heather Dalton at Ludlow on only her second appearance on the racecourse in January, but proved that was no fluke by following up here last month. By then the mare had changed stables, and current handler Sue Smith has shrewdly put up a 10lb claimer here to offset her burden of 11st 12lb on this her handicap debut. Atlantic Jane has impressed with her attitude to date and she is taken to foil the hat-trick bid of Brumous. The latter displayed plenty of stamina when carrying a big weight to victory in heavy ground at Leicester and was entered for the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle at the Festival. Obviously this is easier but he will find the selection no soft touch and is worth taking on. Border Castle will appreciate today's trip judged on the way that he stayed on behind Rojabaa at Stratford and has place claims along with Birdwatch who got bogged down in the heavy ground at Haydock. Brooklyn Brownie ran well for most of the journey at Catterick on his last outing in January and is another that will be suited by the trip, but in an open contest, we shall plump for Atlantic Jane.
Brumous (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan beating Major Catch (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Atlantic Jane 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, led after next, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 3m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb beating Ballyshan (11-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Day Of Claies (FR) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, struggling and behind from 7th, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Temoin (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 17 ran.
Birdwatch 9-2fav (11-11) In touch to 3rd, weakened after next, 8th of 10, 32l behind Billyandi (11-2) at Haydock 2m nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Balasari (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hit 4th, driven and lost place after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Nine De Sivola (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
River Ripples (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Settled in rear, headway from 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to dispute 2nd on wide outside 2 out, weakened before final furlong, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Wee Anthony (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Extra Smooth 6-1 (11-3) Held up behind, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Wild Chimes (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Rainbow Tree 10-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 25l behind Picot de Say (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
Border Castle 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway and hit 6th, ridden 3 out, staying on when hit last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Rojabaa (10-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) With leader, challenged 2 out, ridden, weakened approaching last, 5th of 15, 11l behind Texas Holdem (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
