tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened from 5 out, tailed off
held up, in touch, went 2nd at 11th, led 2 out, stayed on well
held up, in touch, chased leaders approaching 5 out, pushed along and outpaced soon after, staying on in 3rd when fell 4 out
tracked leader until 11th, weakening when left 3rd and hampered 4 out
held up and mistakes, blundered 10th, weakend next, tailed off when pulled off after 4 out
led and raced keen, soon clear, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra after last
held up, in rear, weakened from 5 out
It's modest fare on offer here and only a small investment in LINDSEYFIELD LODGE is recommended. Viel Gluck and Sea Venture are shortlisted as the best alternatives. Sea Venture was a nose behind Simple Jim (runs in the 2.20) at Southwell last month and is arguably unlucky to be still a maiden. Today's slightly shorter trip will be a help and it would come as no surprise were Tim Walford's charge to put the record straight. However, very soft ground would not play to his strengths. Viel Gluck has been consistent since being sent chasing and definitely has a small prize within his capabilities. Graham Lee knows the gelding well and a big effort looks assured. However, Lindseyfield Lodge is equally effective over fences and, as he gets in the handicap off a featherweight today (especially with Paul Callaghan chips in with his 7lb claim), it's Bob Johnson's charge that gets the biggest vote of confidence in a very tricky race to assess.
Paddys Unyoke (IRE) 22-1 (10-5) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 5th, 3 lengths clear when hampered by loose horse 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 27l behind Bob's Dream (10-13) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Sea Venture (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on flat, headed on line, 2nd of 13, ns behind Simple Jim (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Viel Gluck (IRE) 5-1fav (11-6) Towards rear, hampered 10th, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 24l behind Dar Es Salaam (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Strobe 25-1 (10-9) Tended to jump left, led, headed after 5 out, ridden and lost place next, 3rd and beaten when jumped right 2 out, lost 3rd last, 4th of 5, 26l behind Tazbar (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Daraybad (FR) 66-1 (10-8) Behind, brought down after 4th, in a race won by Dar Es Salaam (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 4th, headed 3 out, soon lost place, ridden and rallied to go 3rd between last 2, no impression, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Calzaghe (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Instant Shot (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Always behind, 6th of 12, well behind Smart Thinker (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (4) hvy in Mar.