raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leading pair 6th, weakened after 2 out
disputed lead, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner
mistakes, held up, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders, hit 2nd, reminders after 4th, hard ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, hit 3rd, ridden and struggling after 6th,
disputed lead until approaching 3 out, where mistake, beaten when blundered 2 out and pulled up before last
tended to jump left, keen hold and soon tracked leaders, mistake 6th, chased leader soon after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, weakened and jumped left last
held up, smooth headway to track leading pair 3 out, led going well 2 out, soon clear, easily
behind, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
It may be worth chancing a small investment in Ardglass in the opener, with Flaming Weapon and Inchloch expected to pose the most problems from the rest. Inchloch - a 79-rated handicapper at his best on the Flat for James Fanshawe - ran too freely on his hurdles debut and failed to get home. However, he can be expected to have learned from the experience and has a chance if he settles a little better this afternoon. He is one to bear in mind as he gains in experience over timber. A bigger threat is posed by Flaming Weapon, who, as a previous course and distance winner that will appreciate the ground, has to be respected. Phillip Hide went close aboard the four-year-old at Huntingdon last month and the partnership will be a leading player with a similar performance today. Trompette is another worth a mention, as she also has a Plumpton victory to her name. However, she was a big disappointment when sent off as a well supported favourite at Chepstow a month ago and needs to conclusively erase the memory of that outing before she can be confidently backed at cramped odds. Therefore, a more sporting choice is presented in the form of Ardglass, who was considered good enough to hold a couple of Cheltenham Festival entries at one stage. Obviously things didn't pan out for him in that respect, but he has shown that he can also handle the nature of this track and he rates as a solid each-way option in a race that has plenty of pitfalls for punters.
Flaming Weapon 12-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden, every chance from 2 out, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 18, 1l behind Linnet (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Almavara (USA) 11-2 (8-7) Held up 5th, lost position on inside over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Muzdaherha (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Ardglass (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, blundered 2nd, behind and jumped left 3rd, no impression, 9th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Ghaill Force 40-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, always behind, 9th of 11, 37l behind Pace Shot (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Inchloch 4-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, 4th of 13, 36l behind Mystery Lot (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Trompette (USA) 11-8fav (11-1) Held up rear, headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and weakening when hampered last, 6th of 9, 14l behind Dorneys Well (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
La Gessa 66-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 22l behind Saraba (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Laconicos (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, held up, ridden, headway 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 14l behind Misbehaviour (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
