made all, driven out flat
tracked winner, lost place 12th, hit next and soon beaten
in touch, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon one pace
held up, smooth headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden after next, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, lost touch approaching 4 out
Bohemian Spirit won with any amount in hand when scoring over course and distance last month and a 15lb higher mark may not prevent him from following up in a race where the main dangers look to be Gangsters R Us and Celtic Legend. The last mentioned has disappointed in his last two starts but has solid claims on earlier form and Keith Reveley's gelding would have to be given every chance if he could recapture the form of previous efforts this season. Renvyle has given little sign of encouragement of late but Richard Guest's horses are in much better form now, although stablemate Jodante has the assistance of Dominic Elsworth and made a pleasing first outing of the season at Doncaster last month. Sargon would probably want a softer surface and a bigger threat may come from Gangsters R Us, who has been running reasonable well of late but he is another that may want softer ground. The ground is not a problem for Bohemian Spirit though and he is taken to follow up his recent course and distance success.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Made all, clear from halfway, easily, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Dec beating Balakar (10-7) by 18l, 10 ran.
Renvyle (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, well behind Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.
Sargon 66-1 (10-3) Chased leaders to after 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 7th of 9, 30l behind October Mist (9-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Celtic Legend (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 24l behind Mexican (10-5) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Jodante (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Lorient Express (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Gangsters R Us (IRE) 5-2co-fav (11-8) Led to 4th, hit 12th, slipped on bend approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Forest Dante (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Helvetius 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until weakened halfway, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 40l behind Bohemian Spirit (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Dec.
