tracked leaders, left 2nd from 6th, mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out
in touch, pushed along before 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before last
with winner, mistake and unseated rider 6th
towards rear and in touch, pushed along and reminders 8th, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, headway 8th, 2nd from before 4 out, weakened 2 out
made all, clear from 2 out
in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, one pace and no impression with winner
This looks wide-open with Tuscan Gold raised 6lb for winning at Catterick last month under Hugo Thompson Brown and JOSEPH MERCER penalised for winning over course and distance last week. Tina Jackson’s charge had a bit in hand that day, however, and is fancied for a quick follow up. Snapping Turtle is in the veteran stage but stays well and has won here off a higher mark in the past. Fresh By Nature is another not badly treated on past form while Acadian has hinted at ability, though remains winless.
Tuscan Gold 6-1 (11-2) In touch on outer, led narrowly 6th, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied to regain lead towards finish, held on, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Forty Crown (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Fresh By Nature (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, lost place after 2 out, 6th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Wicked Willy (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Snapping Turtle (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Led, blundered and headed 5 out, led 4 out, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Bescot Springs (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Darsi Dancer (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In rear when hampered 1st, jumped badly right, ridden 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Agent Louise 22-1 (11-3) Held up, in last pair, headway under pressure on outer 3 out, one pace in 4th when lost action and pulled up before next, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Made all, drew clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased closing stages (3 hurdles omitted), won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Houndscourt (10-13) by 8l, 9 ran.
Acadian (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before omitted 4 out, 4th and driven after 2 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Magic Mustard (11-11) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
