close up, hit 15th, soon beaten
tracked leader, led 16th, headed briefly 4 out, soon ridden, kept on, driven out
close up, joined leaders 15th, led briefly 4 out, soon ridden, kept on flat
led until 16th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out
A small field with a couple of quirky individuals make this a far from easy race to sort out and Ca Na Trona is given the percentage call over Yes My Lord and Matt The Thrasher. The selection represents the in-form Charlie Mann and if he consents to stay on his feet, the prevailing ground conditions should be very much in his favour. Yes My Lord represents the yard that won this contest last year. His better form appears to be with some cut in the ground but he seems to stay well. Matt The Thrasher was in rude form earlier in the season but his yard are not in such great nick at the present. A winner in small field races, there is a possibility that he may be asked to make the running. Fakenham specialist, Herecomesstanley looks high enough in the handicap at the moment whilst Bobsleigh is on something of a losing run. A hard race with question marks against all and Ca Na Trona appears to have least negatives.
Herecomestanley 10-1 (10-8) Held up, in touch, mistake 18th, headway next, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, went badly left last, 5th of 8, 45l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-0) at Ascot 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Ca Na Trona (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 16th, left in lead 2 out, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb beating Super Judge (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Yes My Lord (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, ridden and chased leader 15th, staying on when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind New Perk (10-9) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) In touch, headway 10th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Smart Cavalier (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Bobsleigh 22-1 (11-3) Chased winner until 8th, ridden after 13th, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 16l behind Thedreamstillalive (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Mar.