tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, soon pulled up
held up in rear, struggling approaching 8th, tailed off
mid-division, reminders 4th, lost place when not fluent 6th, soon in rear, pulled up after 8th
held up, headway after 5th, pecked next, outpaced from 9th, modest 4th after 3 out
held up, outpaced in modest 6th from 9th, no impression
led 2nd until 6th, outpaced by leaders from 9th, well held after 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 8th, mistake 3 out, strong challenge next, led flat, edged right, headed close home
in rear, ridden after 5th, pulled up before 7th
led until 2nd, prominent, headed 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, went 3rd after 8th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out or last, headed flat, led again close home
Terra Bleu failed to land the odds at Warwick on Saturday and an earlier Fontwell win probably didn't amount to much. Tuscany Star and Romney Marsh have questions to answer at present, while neither Abayaan nor Lightening Fire have shown much so far this season. Homer Run is very one-paced but there are possibilities about Hereford third Pur De Sivola and Snow Patrol, though it's almost five years since the latter last too residence in the winner's enclosure. OSCAR CHARLIE is a couple of pounds out of the handicap but trip and ground are similar to when he was second here last month and he should strip fitter today - he gets the nod.
Abayaan 16-1 (11-3) Held up, jumped slowly, mistake and reminder 6th, mistake and lost touch 8th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Grovemere (10-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Pur De Sivola (FR) 25-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, outopaced and lost place before 6th, rallied from 2 out, went poor 3rd flat, never any chance with leading duo, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Grams And Ounces (10-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Never going in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, (normal 2 out), in a race won by Bold Perk (11-4) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Romney Marsh 10-1 (10-5) Behind, ridden 11th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ukrainian Star (11-7) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Homer Run (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway before 5th, on outer, ridden before 2 out, no extra after last, 4th of 9, 10l behind Mission Complete (11-8) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Never going in rear, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Langley (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Terra Bleu (IRE) 4-7fav (9-7) Mid-division in touch, jumped right from 5th, challenged 3 out, soon outpaced by leading pair, ridden and no impression when edged left between last 2, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Fidelor (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Bluecrop Boy 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, under pressure before 5 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Soliya (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Sep '07.
Snow Patrol 7-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, kept on flat but no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Drawn Free (9-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Oscar Charlie (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Behind, stayed on from 10th, 3rd when blundered 4 out, stayed on to 2nd approaching last, never any chance with eased down winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Goring Two (9-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.