mid-division, headway to chase trio from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
slight lead from 3rd, headed and weakened approaching 3 out
behind, headway on inside from 5th, hit 3 out and weakened soon after
close up in 5th, tracked leading pair from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, upsides going easily last, shaken up to lead run-in, not extended
always behind, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off
chased leaders, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led to 3rd, stayed tracking leader, led approaching 2 out, joined and hard pressed last, headed and soon no chance with winner run-in
chased leaders, lost place 5th, plugged on under pressure from 3 out, no danger
took keen hold in touch, weakened after 3 out, 6th and well beaten when mistake 2 out
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened after next
held up in rear, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression after
always behind, struggling 5th, tailed off
hit 2nd, always behind, struggling 3 out
A middle distance performer on the flat in France, Temoin is pitched straight into a handicap following his debut success over hurdles at Plumpton and it is interesting that Mick Fitzgerald prefers him to stablemate Brankley Boy but preference is for Youlbesolucky, who is taken to make the most of what looks a favourable mark. The selection may well have been flattered when beating the then 125 rated Ungaro (runs in the 3.10pm race of 128) at Newcastle in November but the handicapper seems to have let Jonjo O'Neill's gelding in on a fair mark of just 117. Brankley Boy has gone up 5lbs for his win at Plumpton last time and he faces no easy task giving weight away all round. Nick Gifford's Shaka's Pearl is lightly raced and potentially well treated so makes more appeal than Smart Boy Prince who has been well held in his last two starts in handicaps since landing a race at Market Rasen in December. Oscatello, who won at the Lincolnshire venue on his most recent start is another to consider but Youlbesolucky looks to be on a handy mark and he gets the vote.
Brankley Boy Evensfav (11-12) In touch, not fluent 8th, headway 9th, chased leader next, led last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Eljutan (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader, left in lead 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, hard ridden to lead flat, all out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Ungaro (11-10) by a shd, 13 ran.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off from next, 14th of 15, well behind Hoh Viss (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Nice Horse (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Slowly away, headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 8l behind Snakebite (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Temoin Evensfav (11-4) Close up, chased leader 3 out, led soon after last, kept on run-in, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Glimmer of Light (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shaka's Pearl 7-2fav (11-10) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Montecorvino (11-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
High Altitude (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 3rd, headway approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 16, 18l behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Oscatello (USA) 10-11fav (11-0) Not fluent, held up, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, pushed out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec beating Seymar Lad (11-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Here We Go (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up rear, mistake 2nd, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 41l behind Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
New Mischief (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, tracked leaders 6th, every chance after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 19l behind Amanpuri (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Mokum (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, 28l behind She's Our Native (12-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 42l behind Be Be King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Smileafact 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden before next, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind The Cool Guy (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Peppershot 6-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 8th, went poor 3rd between last 2, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 33l behind Graffiti Tongue (12-13) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Royal Coburg (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, well behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
