tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led, not fluent 3rd, headed after 10th, soon weakened
held up in touch, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, in 4th and held when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, led after 10th, clear when mistake and unseated rider last
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased leader approching 2 out, held in 2nd when left in lead last
held up, went 2nd at the 8th, ridden and weakened from 2 out
CARRICKMINES is up 3lbs for taking second last time but that might not prevent him from going one better, at the chief expense of Painter Man and The Hardy Boy. Daryl Jacob's mount arrived at Warwick on New Years Eve in search of the hat-trick but found an unexposed sort too good, however that effort showed he remains in good heart and a small rise shouldn't stop him going close under his ideal conditions. With doubts about the rest, he rates a bet ahead of Painter Man for David Pipe who makes his debut over fences off a reasonable mark. Granted, he was disappointing when last seen over hurdles but he stays further than this and acts on the ground so if he enjoys this switch it'd be no surprise to see a big run. In a relatively weak affair, The Hardy Boy might be able to bounce back from two mishaps and take a hand in the finish. The ten-year-old operates at a healthy strike-rate over fences and has his perfect conditions, so in receipt of weight from all rivals rates worthy of respect if jumping with more enthusiasm than when last seen. With the potentially well-treated Quarrymount returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, perhaps Noble Billy can improve upon recent form off what is now a favourable mark. He has won on ground described as heavy, although recent displays don't offer much hope and the change to Richard Johnson in the saddle will have to work wonders. Uncle Eli completes the line-up but as he's not completed since March 2009 we'll pass him over with comfort, favouring instead the solid credentials of Carrickmines.
Painter Man (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Quarrymount 15-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, still every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Honour High (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '08.
Carrickmines (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Soon led, occasionally wanted to veer right, ridden 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Afistfullofpebbles (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders when unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Senor Shane (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Noble Bily (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 6th of 13, 14l behind Nostringsattached (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
The Hardy Boy 11-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Senor Shane (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 10 ran.
