in touch, headway to track leaders 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, hit 5th, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression flat
in touch, headway to 4th at 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
led, hit 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened from next, beaten when hung left flat
held up in 7th, headway after 3 out to chase winner before 2 out until no impression before last
chased leaders, tracked winner from 2nd, led approaching 3 out, kept on well from next
chased leaders until lost place before 5th, brief rally after 3 out, weakened under pressure before next
chased leader to 2nd, stayed close up, behind from 5th, tailed off
Withdrawn
We end with a handicap hurdle where STRATEGIC PLAN can overcome a mark rise and double-up at the expense of Lemon Silk and Charlotte Street could run a big race for a yard in form. A course and distance winner in March the selection has improved recently and got up late in the day to score in soft conditions at Exeter last time. Some of his nine pounds mark rise for that win has been softened by his jockey's claim so he should be able to continue his recent improvement. Lemon Silk looks the nearest challenger after a better effort off this lowly mark last time. Once thought good enough for a tilt at some top races he should be more than capable of winning a race at this level. Charlotte Street represents a yard going well and off a light looking weight could well improve while some of Geoffdaw's old flat form puts him in the picture after solid efforts over jumps. This race may be overshadowed by the better races earlier in the card but it does look a good opportunity for Strategic Plan to follow up.
Geoffdaw 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hampered bend after 3rd, ridden after 5th, not fluent 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 13, 24l behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Strategic Plan (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Steadied rear, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, tracked leading pair on outside approaching 2 out, challenged last, led soon after, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Dontsayathing (10-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lord Francois (FR) (10-3) 4th of 16, 17l behind Chita Magnetic (10-7) at Dieppe(FR) 2m 1f chs sft in Jun.
Grand Article (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Stagecoach Pearl (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd, 18 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, steady headway after 3 out, stayed on into modest 1st last stride, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Spear Thistle (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Harcourt (USA) 50-1 (10-9) Led, headed 4 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 13, 47l behind Minnie Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Shropshirelass 11-2 (9-9) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 34l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Charlotte Street (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon driven along and weakened 2 out, 9th of 13, 20l behind Simple Jim (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Owain James 20-1 (11-2) Close up and keen, led 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 13, well behind Benefit Game (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jul.
