chased leader to 4th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out
held up, hit 3rd, soon outpaced, behind from 4 out
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
mid-division, pushed along approaching 4 out, stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden and one pace
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
close up, went 2nd 4th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase winner next, no extra flat, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, stayed on well
This is a competitive handicap hurdle in which Torkinking, Andre Chenier and Rising Generation catch the eye, and the final vote is given to Torkinking. The selection scored impressively last time out over this course and distance when beating the useful Don't Call Me Derek. Andre Chenier was back in third that day and is weighted to get much closer to our selection today, but we will stick with the progressive Torkinking to lead them home. Rising Generation has been running well of late and the return to this more testing ground will certainly benefit him so he has solid claims. Middlethorpe hails from a shrewd yard and is certainly worth noting in the market, but for the winner we are happy to return to Torkinking.
Through The Rye 6-1 (11-12) Led, headed 6th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, rallied and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Brave Thought (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Middlethorpe 9-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, hit 2nd, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Rob Leach (10-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb '05.
Torkinking (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, made rest, ridden 2 out, edged left, stayed on gamely flat, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb beating Dont Call Me Derek (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pay Attention 12-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Rising Generation (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 14, 17l behind Sun King (9-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced when jumped right last, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Torkinking (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Culcabock (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 10, 10l behind Torkinking (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Nick's Choice 28-1 (10-4) Mid-division to 3rd, soon behind, 9th of 16, 42l behind Abraham Smith (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
