led to 2nd, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, hit 4th, headway 7th, ridden and weakened from 2 out
held up mid-division, hit 3 out, one pace, no impression
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied flat, stayed on towards finish
Black Rainbow, Sharaab and Erins Lass are among the more obvious sorts here and we will stick with Black Rainbow. The mare ran a solid race last Saturday night and had she been more aggressively ridden she could have gone close to an upset. The handicapper has not been kind in putting her up 12lb for that run but from a form perspective he had very little option. Sharaab is here with maximum confidence after a win on the level at Thirsk and is racing off a lower mark than he would be if this were over chase fences. Erins Lass ran no sort of race last week and would not want any further rain. Pure Pleasure has been backed previously but has shown little on two starts this term. Jug Of Punch has won in lesser grade but has struggled in handicaps. Hop Fair has shown glimpses of ability but might be a better prospect if retried from the front. A modest race and Black Rainbow is selected to minimum stakes.
Hop Fair 10-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 16, 35l behind Sultan Fontenaille (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, hampered 1st, behind when hampered on bend approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 23l behind Silver Island (10-6) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Black Rainbow (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, chased winner from 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Barton Flower (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Erins Lass (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) In rear, mistake 3rd, soon ridden, lost place 6th, blundered next, soon pulled up pulled up 3 out in race won by Present Oriented (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs, 7 ran.
Robbie Will 33-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden after 4 out, never near leaders, 12th of 16, well behind True Mariner (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Dec.
Gondolin (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders 4 out, led and hit 3 out, ridden and headed next, weakened, 4th of 7, 17l behind Leopold (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Shamrock Bay 9-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 9l behind Sakenos (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Sharaab (USA) 4-1 (10-8) Held up and well behind, headway after 11th, pushed along from 3 out, led last, driven clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Manoram (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
