held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed after 3 out, one pace
in touch, ridden before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from 2 out, chased winner after last, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon chased winner but well held, lost 2nd place after last, no extra
in rear, beaten when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
Knox Overstreet had shown nothing until landing an Exeter seller last week and has a 7lb penalty to carry in this better race. Favours Brave is on the comeback trail having once looked useful but he hasn't shown much recently but Dzesmin is capable of a big run if near his best. Tekthelot was brought with a well-timed challenge at Soutwell last week but didn't show the battling qualities of the winner so it's CHARLES who gets the vote. Kim Bailey's charge was making steady progress on fast ground last summer and with conditions in his favour he looks the type to go on to better things.
A Patchy Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) With leaders early, blundered 3rd, soon lost place and towards rear, pushed along 8th, weakened 5 out, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Prince Tam (10-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 9 ran.
Favours Brave 16-1 (11-3) Led to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Wise Move (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Jan.
Dzesmin (POL) 15-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 20l behind Headly's Bridge (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Tekthelot (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd before and every chnce last, edged left head high and not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Bocamix (11-2) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Charles 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, caught post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Endeavor (9-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
Knox Overstreet 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, bumped 2nd, headway next, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, hit last, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd beating Edgware Road (10-7) by 7l, 10 ran.
Hakuna Matata 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and lost place before 4th, never on terms after, tailed off, 8th of 16, 41l behind Featherintheattic (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Took keen hold close up, headway 2 out, effort next, led flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Truckers Princess (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Hammer 9-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, switched left after last and stayed on to 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Endeavor (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.