tracked leader, led briefly 13th, ridden before 3 out, no chance with winner before 2 out, lost 2nd before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 14th, clear from 2 out, easily
in touch in 4th, weakened before 16th, tailed off
in rear, went 3rd before 4 out, chased clear winner before last, no impression
led, headed briefly 13th, headed before 14th, weakened before 16th, tailed off
Useful point-to-pointer MERRY TERRY stays well and was successful over C&D in August last year following a break. It would be no surprise if he proved good enough to defy top weight in this as Absolute Shambles couldn't justify favouritism off this mark at Fakenham last month and Hereford hurdles winner Daarth was tailed off in his only previous run over fences. Normally has lost his way and Major Decision has no recent form under Rules to speak of.
Merry Terry 2-1fav (10-7) Tracked leader, led 4th until 6th, led after 7th, headed 12th, every chance 4 out, no impression 2 out, demoted to 4th flat, 4th of 7, 17l behind Definite Dawn (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) gd in Sep.
Major Decision (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Ap chsd wnr 14; one pce 2 out, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Misamon (12-7) at Trecoed 3m ptp gd.
Normally 18-1 (11-12) In rear, headway 9th, not fluent 12th, outpaced before 13th, tried to rally 4 out, no impression, well held in 5th when pecked last, went 4th close home, 4th of 10, 36l behind Hathamore (10-2) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Daarth 9-2 (10-3) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headway soon after, kept on from last, joined winner on line, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in May deadheating with Earcomesthedream (11-0), 10 ran.
Absolute Shambles 15-8fav (10-4) Ran in snatches, led, headed 2nd, led again 11th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Tin Pot Man (10-13) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in May.
