with leader, pushed along after 6th, not fluent next, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out,kept on
held up, ridden approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching next when weakening
unseated rider 1st
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 3 out, chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out
held up weakened from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, pushed along to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next
held up, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching next, stayed on well from last
held up, pushed along after 2nd, reminders after 5th, soon struggling
CATCH TWENTY TWO may run out best of an unconvincing bunch although the Twiston-Davies Perth record ensures that Needle Prick is respected with Countrywide Sun another to note. The selection is put forwards in the hope that the headgear, employed for the first time, helps to focus his mind on the job in hand and bring about a little improvement. His latest run offered a modicum of encouragement and this represents a drop in grade. Countrywide Sun made the frame in handicaps in May and November of last year and a repeat of either performance would be sufficient to take this prize. He disappointed at the start of the month but has a tongue strap added to the cheekpieces. Needle Prick's only win came in this grade in 2006 and it was hard to tell on his reappearance how much ability he has retained since missing 2008. His trainer always sends a strong raiding party here and his strike rate with his hurdlers is better than one in three. A few more have enough ability to win this but predicting when they can put it all together is not easy so we'll take a chance on the blinkers working for Catch Twenty Two.
Alagon (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Towards rear, chased leaders approaching 7th, blundered 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Paperchaser (9-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Catch Twenty Two (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Mid-division, moderate 6th from 5 out, lost place from next, no impression and kept on without threatening from before 2 out, 3rd of 12, 28l behind Berties Dream (10-9) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-109 sft.
Cooldine Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) In touch, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Thatlldoforme (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Sadler's Cove (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, last when hit 7th, always behind, 10th of 11, 32l behind Trotsky (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Needle Prick (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Choumakeur (11-11) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Mr Midnight (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, behind when fell 2 out, in a race won by Run Forest Run (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 18 ran.
Countrywide Sun 20-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened 7th, 13th of 18, well behind Intense Suspense (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Patavian (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden after 7th, soon lost place, 11th of 18, well behind Intense Suspense (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Flying Forme (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, soon weakened, jumped left next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Dishdasha (11-4) at Perth 2m nov stks (4) gf, 7 ran.
Miss Toozy Betsy (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) In touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Carsonstown Boy (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Pugnacity 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and weakened next, 8th of 18, 36l behind Intense Suspense (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Kalatime (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) In touch, tracked leaders approaching 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 50l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Turbulent Flight 14-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, soon struggling, tailed off from 8th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Keltic Lord (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gf, 14 ran.