behind, ridden and no real impression after 3 out
held up in mid-division, smooth headway to track leading pair 3 out, led on bit, approaching 2 out, driven and held on flat
prominent, tracked leader from after 3rd, effort approaching 2 out, one pace flat
hit 1st, always behind, tailed off when blundered, 2 out
left in lead after 3rd, headed and weakening when mistake, 2 out
mid-division, hit 3rd, no impression approaching 2 out, kept on run in but never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when hit 2 out and last
refused to start and took no part
held up in rear, steady headway on outside approaching 2 out, chased leaders and hit last, chased winner, stayed on well under pressure run in, just held
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, 4th and no impression when hit last
always behind, struggling 3 out
mistakes, prominent, hit 3rd and next, driven after 3 out, soon weakened
led and soon well clear, ran out towards horse walk and unseated rider after 3rd
It may be worth giving another chance to Nick The Silver in this company and he is selected in preference to Pennyrose Bay and Mnason, while Starlight Express will go close if she consents to start. The last named has claims on the form of her previous run and it will be interesting to see if money comes for her late. Pennyrose Bay is open to improvement over hurdles and shapes as if this sort of trip is ideal for him. He holds definite place claims in this company. Mnason, on the other hand, was disappointing on his last try over the distance and looks opposable at the weights. Another that faces a stiff test on these terms is Party Games, who won a poor race at Huntingdon and will do well to follow up off a 10lb higher mark. Therefore, we head to the bottom of the racecard for the selection and are wiling to give another throw of the dice to Nick The Silver. The ever-consistent Tony McCoy takes over the riding duties today and the partnership will be very hard to beat as they receive weight from the rest today.
Mnason (FR) 11-1 Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft beating Make My Hay by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Back Nine (IRE) 5-1 Never a factor, trailing 4 out, 10th of 12, 50l behind Newmill at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grd 1 sft in Nov '03.
Party Games (IRE) 4-1fav Disputed lead until led approaching last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Jan beating Shady Anne by 7l, 15 ran.
Madison de Vonnas (FR) 25-1 Chased leaders, effort 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Voy Por Ustedes at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Front Rank (IRE) 12-1 In touch, badly hampered 6th, no chance after, 8th of 15, 25l behind Pretty Star at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
Penneyrose Bay 7-1 Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 24l behind Inch Pride at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Maximinus 10-1 Tracked leader, hit 4 out, ridden soon after, one pace, 3rd of 16, 18l behind Hashid at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Starlight Express (FR) 13-2 Refused to race refused in race won by Celtic Son at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Durante (IRE) 9-2 Held up, headway after 8th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind He's The Guv'nor at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Jan.
See Me There 33-1 Held up in mid-division, effort after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 15, 6l behind Pretty Star at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
King of Gothland (IRE) 100-1 Always towards rear, 5th of 11, 33l behind Star De Mohaison at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Drat 25-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, ridden after 6th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 12, 18l behind Field Roller at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Nick The Silver 11-4fav Led, hard ridden 2 out, headed when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Pretty Star at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs, 15 ran.