midfield, shaken up and dropped rear 2nd, behind from next
led to 4th, ridden 2 out, onepaced between last 2
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and reminders 3rd, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
in touch, headway halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, headway halfway, ridden and weakened quickly 2 out
midfield, headway 3rd, led next, ridden out
held up towards rear, some headway halfway, weakened 2 out
pulled hard in rear, raced wide, smooth headway halfway, went 2nd between last 2, ridden last, kept on same pace
Lucky Mick is back on a winning mark (over 2m4f on firm at Newcastle) and did not jump well on his chasing bow on his last outing. Call Me Jack, a c/d winner over hurdles, fell on his (his only try so far over the bigger obstacles). That win came from a mark of 94 (now 99) but he is lightly raced and could be open to improvement. Political Sox seems to prefer hurdling and has not set the world alight yet over fences. His most recent win came in December (from a mark of 79, now 95 less rider's 3lb claim) so might find life tougher although he ran well from this mark last time and is entitled to be placed. Brave Vision can run well from this mark (which is 95 but has won from 93). Sunridge Fairy has won five of her last six hurdle races and was initially rated 106 by the handicapper, but has been dropped six pounds after one run in handicap company. It would be no surprise to see her run well at this level. Far Ahead (who won the Ebor in 1997) was off nearly three years prior to his last five runs, which have not been auspicious. Baby Gee is lightly raced and was behind Brave Vision at Kelso last March over 2m at Kelso. She could have a little bit of improvement in her and gets the selection. Milan King won twice over c/d (from marks of 91 and 82 in July and September 2000) for today's rider and, from a mark of 78, cannot be ruled out. Uptown Lad has had just three runs over hurdles but could not be fancied on what's been shown so far.
