keen, tracked leaders when hit 4th hard and unseated rider
disputed lead until soon after 3rd, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and ran on
keen disputed leader until led soon after 3rd, hit and headed 2 out, tracked winner when not fluent next, soon lost 2nd, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and headway 2 out, chased winner next, stayed on
close up in rear, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
close up in rear, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
FIRST IMPRESSION, a decent Flat handicapper, made all for a convincing victory in a Wetherby handicap and though 7lb higher can complete a double. Minella Plus easily won novices' events here and at Catterick and is an obvious threat on his handicap debut. Spiritofthenorth has been extremely consistent on the Flat and over timber and gets plenty of weight from the top pair. Auditoria was narrowly beaten in her first three starts after arriving from France and was in touch when unseating her rider at Fakenham last month. The remaining pair are out of the handicap and have it all to do.
First Impression (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid division, headway just behind leaders 3 out, took it up travelling well last, ran on well flat, readily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Caius Marcius (11-8) by 5l, 6 ran.
Minella Plus (IRE) 2-7fav (11-4) Led, ridden and rallied after 2 out, jumped well last hurdle, won easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Brianna Rose (10-4) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Spiritofthenorth (FR) 9-5 (10-12) Soon led, joined 3 out, pushed and headed entering home straight, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Findthetime (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Auditoria Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Nov.
My Macho Man (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, dropped to last home turn, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd final flight, no match for winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Diamond State (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Les's Legacy 40-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, ridden 2 out, close up before last, no extra and lost two places run in, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Heart Of Kernow (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
