raced wide, in touch, hit 8th, weakened from next, well beaten before 3 out, mistake next, tailed off
chased leaders until lost place quickly after 4th, driven in rear after 7th, tailed off
chased leaders until outpaced 8th, soon lost touch and struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled before 2 out
took keen hold early, close up until weakened 8th, strugging when hit next, tailed off
raced wide, in touch, headway to chase leaders from 8th, not fluent 3 out, upsides winner and every chance when fell last
raced wide, close up, tracked leader from 5th, driven to narrow lead and mistake 2 out, strongly pressed when left with 1 length advantage last, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, steady headway 9th, chased leading trio under pressure 3 out, no impression next, left modest 3rd last
led, hit 9th, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, one pace in close 3rd when left 2nd last, held flat
raced on inside, close up until outpaced 7th, weakened before 9th, tailed off
This is not as competitive as the Kempton contest in which GEE DEE NEN made the frame last time and with Gary Moore's runners going well we will side with him to get the better of Ellen Tilly. The selection has not won since this time last year when doing so in a Ludlow maiden hurdle by a wide margin. The handicapper got a bit excited by that effort and the seven-year-old has been unable to win handicaps since. Now, however, he has dropped to a mark of 125 and is able to race in this company for the first time in a year, and he has the ability to take advantage. Ellen Tilly is a very interesting opponent. Alan King's runners have come back to form and this six-year-old is lightly-raced and open to improvement. Soft ground suits her, she stays at least this far, and she will be much straighter after a recent pipe-opener, so she looks a threat. Ballybach should go well over this trip and looks likely to be a leading player, while Preuty Boy has shown reasonable form if looking a bit one-paced, and will probably have to improve a fair bit. Samurai Way has claims from a nice racing weight, but Gee Dee Nen will be tough to beat.
Gee Dee Nen 20-1 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no chance with winner after 2 out, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Micheal Flips (10-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Warne's Way (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 8th, hampered 12th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Kildonnan (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft.
Spaceman 16-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, no extra from before 2 out, 12th of 18, 33l behind P'tit Fute (10-7) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gd in Aug '08.
Ellen Tilley 16-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 7th of 14, 23l behind Gold Award (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Ballybach (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching 2nd last, never on terms, 4th of 13, 11l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Preuty Boy (FR) 33-1 (10-11) In touch, headway to 3rd after 4th, pushed along before 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 13, 18l behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Dot's Delight 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Karky Schultz (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Samurai Way 15-8fav (11-4) Held up in touch, challenged 3 out, not quicken after 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dinarius (11-9) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Corker 10-1 (10-3) Close up on inside, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and every chance last, found no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Volador (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
