mid-division, smooth headway to chase winner from approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no extra flat
led until headed 8th, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, effort 4 out, soon ridden and gradually weakened
tracked leader, led 8th, ridden after 3 out, jumped well last and driven out flat
behind and lost place from 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held up, ridden after 4 out and soon beaten
mid-division, effort 4 out and chased leaders next, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out and soon beaten
towards rear, headway to chase leaders when hit 3 out, soon one pace
A trappy race where its difficult to rule out anything with confidence and Jack The Blaster is the pick ahead of Tiger King and Snow's Ride. The selection comes here in good form following a success over chase fences at Newcastle. A fair hurdler, this is a decent pot to chase. Tiger King would probably show his best if the rain comes. A likeable individual, he is stepped up markedly in trip. Snow's Ride fell last time out but had looked particularly progressive prior to that mishap. Westgrove Berry has been expensive to follow. That said, the mare is capable of running a big race and her yard are in form. Patavium doesn't win as often as he should. Rare Coincidence is always capable of pinching a start and is dangerous if getting a soft lead. Heavenly Chorus can have few complaints about today's going. Many possible winners of this prize and Jack The Blaster is afforded the nomination.
Jack The Blaster 2-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, went 2nd from the 11th, led 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Nov beating Stagecoach Diamond (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rare Coincidence 66-1 (11-6) Toward rear, never dangerous, 8th of 16, well behind Witch Wind (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Tiger King (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, prominent 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 14l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Patavium (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, headway before 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression flat, 5th of 15, 9l behind Singhalongtasveer (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ever Special (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Held up, weakening when hampered 4 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind King Daniel (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
English City (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 8th, challenge for 2nd from 2 out until last, no extra, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Snow's Ride 10-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 8th, in touch when fell 3 out in race won by King Daniel (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Tickateal 8-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 26l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Heavenly Chorus 11-2 (10-11) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd when hit last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) gf.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 4 out, every chance when hit 3 out, blundered next, led briefly last, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Roschal (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Westgrove Berry (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Cedrus Libani (11-2) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
