tracked winner, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner approaching 2 out, no impression
made all, quickened clear 2 out, comfortable
tracked leaders, dropped to rear 4 out, outpaced next
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Crooks Peak has been well below par this term and is best watched until showing signs of a revival. Considering he was rated 97 on the Flat, Natural History has been a shade disappointing over hurdles so far but he’ll be fancied to make it third-time lucky now tackling handicaps. Group Stage has switched stables and had a wind operation since placing at Doncaster and Fakenham while a first success continues to elude Sorbet. MYSTIC DREAMER won a Cheltenham bumper on going similar to today’s in 2019. She won over hurdles at Exeter in November and followed that up with a good third at Newbury, despite losing a shoe. She can be forgiven a subsequent run in a jumpers’ bumper and Tabitha Worsley’s claim is a plus.
Crooks Peak 9-1 (11-2) Keen in touch in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 4th of 7, 11l behind Strong Glance (11-8) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Group Stage (GER) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in last pair, steady headway 7th, chased leaders on outside before 3 out, ridden before next, 3rd home turn, stayed on same pace, hit last, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Not A Role Model (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Mystic Dreamer (IRE) 15-8jfav (10-11) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders 5f out, disputing close 2nd out wide 2f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Royaume Uni (10-7) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Natural History 5-4jfav (11-2) Raced keenly, chased winner from 2nd, no impression before 2 out, 2nd of 18, 20l behind Lucky One (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
Vision Clear (GER) 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear on inside, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Hijran (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Close up, hit and lost place 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Midnights' Gift (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Saggazza 200-1 (11-0) Led, slow 2nd, headed before 5th, pushed along before 2 out, led again before last, kept on well flat, headed final 100yds, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind My Drogo (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gd in Nov.
Sorbet 7-2 (10-12) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, weakened and lost 2 places inside final 100 yards, 4th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Docte Dina (10-12) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Feb.
