always behind, ridden from 12th and soon beaten
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 4 out, kept on
prominent, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
always behind, beaten from 12th
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression
led, untill headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden and gradually weakened
mid-division, hit 10th and reminders, ridden 12th and soon beaten
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
Casadei gets the vote here ahead of Chevalier Errant and Yankee Holiday. The selection has been a model of consistency on his two recent raids from Ireland, finishing second and third in better races than this, and his shrewd trainer will want to recoup his travelling costs today at the third time of asking. He drops back to a more suitable trip today after failing to get home over three miles previously, and whilst he would prefer the rain to stay away, his class could see him through. The main danger could be recent winner Chevalier Errant who made all when winning well last time out at Musselburgh, however it is debatable whether this drop in trip will suit Brian Storey's thirteen-year-old gelding. He also saddles course and distance winner World Vision who would be a threat on his best form but looks fairly disinterested at the moment, although he has slipped to a winning mark. Yankee Holiday is solid if unspectacular and could easily run into a place, whilst the same can be said for Ferdy Murphy's Swallow Magic. However, the fact that Casadei comes over for the third time from County Meath could be significant, and he gets the vote.
Neptune Joly (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Flake (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Ben Britten 7-2 (10-6) In touch, headway and hit 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 22l behind Cloudless Dawn (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
World Vision (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 13th, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Chevalier Errant (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Swallow Magic (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, kept on flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Green Finger (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jul.
Casadei (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 14th, faded approaching last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Shardam (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Led until headed approaching 4th, chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Black Chalk (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Super Dolphin 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division when brought down at the 7th in race won by Black Chalk (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Chevalier Errant (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-0) Made all, driven 2 out, clear when not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating The Names Bond (11-5) by 11l, 11 ran.
