chased leaders, outpaced 8th, behind when pulled up before 11th
behind, reminders 4th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
led to 7th, chased winner, lost place 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on approaching last, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, ridden 11th, never able to challenge
behind, reminders 7th, lost touch 8th, behind when pulled up before 10th
held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge next, upside when pecked last, kept on but always held
chased leaders, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, soon behind
mid-division, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
Dark Ben, Vicario and Billy Bush are the three to focus on in this beginners¿ chase and the vote is given to Dark Ben. The selection was a fair second behind Welcome To Unos having previously found New Alco too good over this course and distance back in December. He will handle today¿s ground conditions and he looks set to gain his reward today for a string of consistent efforts. Vicario is a fairly consistent sort and he will handle the soft ground today. He also has the useful Stephen Craine on board but he is a little high in the weights at present and for that reason we will take him on. Billy Bush is from a yard that merits plenty of respect in these type of events and if his confidence has not been affected by his fall at Southwell last time out then he would have to enter calculations. Mickey Croke is more than capable of getting competitive in this type of event but he is far from reliable and the percentage call is to take him on. We are therefore happy to return to Dark Ben who gets our vote.
Billy Bush (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch when fell at the 12th in race won by Shining Strand (11-5) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Cragg Prince (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place approaching 8th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Dark Ben (FR) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner 5 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Welcome To Unos (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 37l behind New Alco (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Germany Park (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch to 7th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Alfasonic (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Henry's Pride (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders and keen, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 20l behind Le Biassais (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb '05.
Mickey Croke 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Model Son (11-1) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (C) hvy in Oct, 10 ran.
Viking Song 100-1 (10-1) Always in rear pulled up 5 out in race won by Cyborsun (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Vicario 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 31l behind Haut de Gamme (10-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
