led to 3rd, chased leaders, lost place 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked winner from 3rd, effort 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, effort 5 out, outpaced next, soon no impression
behind, outpaced 13th, never on terms
mistakes, in rear, lost touch 6th, no danger after, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 13th, ridden and effort approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
soon behind, some headway 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place after 8th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 2nd, reminders 8th, behind from 10th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat
mid-division, effort approaching 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on, held flat
A tricky race to assess here with Welsh raider QUATTROCENTO marginally preferred to Its Teescomponents, while Jimmy Bond and Star Player are both interesting in opposition. The selection pops up with a win on occasions, including when doing so last time at Ffos Las over three miles. He is raised 6lbs for that success, making this tougher, and although he acts with cut it is also worth noting that he has never won on ground slower than good to soft. Therefore, he doesn't take on the appearance of nap material here, but with doubts over all the others he might still be good enough. Its Teescomponents has won two of his four chases, the most recent being over course and distance on good to soft. That 20-length success saw him put up 16lbs by the assessor, and he was duly thrashed next time at Doncaster. However, he may also have been unsuited by good ground there and on this slower surface and with the yard going well enough he looks capable of a better effort today. Border Reiver has conditions and trip to suit, and a 3lb drop will help him become more competitive than last time, but we will take him on. Jimmy Bond sees a racecourse for the first time since Boxing Day of 2008. He is back on a winning mark today and acts with cut, though the yard has had no runners due to the recent cold snap so you are risking his fitness being good enough if you play. Star Player has been off even longer since going lame at Ayr in April 2008. He had looked progressive before that, winning two chases at Carlisle when there was juice in the ground and market support would probably be significant. Without that knowledge we will give the tentative vote to Quattrocento.
Mr Woods 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Wild Cane Ridge (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always behing, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Royal Rosa (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Always in rear, struggling from 19th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by L'aventure (10-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Quattrocento (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd after 12th, closed to lead 4 out, pecked 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Supreme Keano (11-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Quws Law (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistake 2nd, lost place approaching 5th, pushed along and reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
Minster Shadow 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, weakening when hit 5 out, 5th of 8, well behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Jimmy Bond 3-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 7th, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 24l behind Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec '08.
Star Player (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, going well when pulled up quickly after 12th, lame, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr '08, 8 ran.
Border Reiver 16-1 (11-5) Held up, stumbled badly 5th, chased winner approaching 5 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Youngstown (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Crackadee 16-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, outpaced 10th, 4th of 8, 16l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Its Teescomponents (IRE) 13-8fav (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 37l behind Mill Side (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Sammy Spiderman 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, went 3rd approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 24l behind Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
