mid-division, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
towards rear, ridden and lost touch 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon beaten
mid-division until weakened after 4 out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear
held up, some headway after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 3 out, blundered next, driven and headed flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
led until after 3rd, lost place and behind 7th, pulled up after 4 out
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, led 3rd until headed 6th and stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, hit next and driven to lead again flat
Nonrunner
A typically trappy handicap in which the vote goes to PORTAVADIE over Kyber and Nosferatu. The last-named was disappointing when last seen three months ago and whilst the break may have done him good, it must be pointed out that most of his wins have come on left-handed tracks. Instead then we side with top-weight Portavadie. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding was well-held at the track last time but as a result has been dropped by 3lb in the handicap. Although his last win was over three years ago, he looks to be creeping down to a workable mark and can land a long overdue success. Its Moon wasn't in the best form during the 2008 flat season, and he needs to improve on a recent modest run at Leicester, so a bigger threat could be Kyber. Jim Goldie's gelding has a good strike-rate for a modest horse but a 9lb rise in the weights coupled with a return to the longer trip means that he can be opposed. Wotchalike was in fair form in selling hurdles when seen half a year ago, whilst Panthera Leo and Stainley are course winners but neither was in good form when last seen. Random Native must be respected after a much improved second to Prosecco at Ayr last time but he is not one to trust implicitly and so we will take a chance with Portavadie.
Portavadie 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and mistakes, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 9, 23l behind Folk Tune (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Its Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, hit last, 11th of 13, 27l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Random Native (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Prosecco (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 4 out, 7th of 14, 38l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Wotchalike (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Honeybrook (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Nosferatu (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 45l behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Panthera Leo (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, weakened, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind John Dillon (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Sendali (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, in touch when fell 2 out in race won by Bedizen (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Kyber 10-3 (10-5) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden from next, kept on gamely run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Bolodenka (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Danish Rebel (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Prominent, saddle slipped 2nd, pulled up after next pulled up at the 4th in race won by Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Dont Tell The Wife (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Behind from 8th, 11th of 13, well behind Karabak (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Stainley (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place 4th, no danger after, 10th of 15, 41l behind Prosecco (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Simple Jim (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on to chase leaders next, soon one paced, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Strobe 25-1 (10-8) Led til headed 1st, tracked leader, led again approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, one paced, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Shopfrontspecialst (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led after 1st, headed approaching 5 out, weakened 4 out and pulled up in race won by Carlas Dream (10-11) at Navan 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
