led, ridden 9th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
soon behind, weakening when pulled up before 8th
behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, never on terms
chased leaders to halfway, lost touch 8th, behind when pulled up before next
hit 1st, tracked leaders, headway to lead before 3 out, soon clear, pushed out unchallenged
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, mistake 6th, outpaced and mistake 3 out, ridden and onepaced from next, no chance with winner
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden to chase leaders 9th, lost place next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
As you'd expect most of these are in pretty poor form and it's a race to play to small stakes, with somewhat better quality on offer elsewhere today. We will take Dark Thunder to be too good for Flemming, with Amber Go Go perhaps the one to complete the frame. The selection has dropped a few pounds after being well beaten over course and distance when last seen out in January, and now drops from handicaps to selling company. He still has plenty to prove, but looks as though he will stay as well as any of the leading lights here and won't mind any drying of the ground, so we take a chance on him with first-time blinkers to help. Flemming should be the one to give him most to do. Andy Tinkler's mount is upped 3lb for a head defeat at Catterick on similar going last time out, but that was over a mile shorter. A quick inspection of his form tells us that he has not shown much at all beyond three miles in several attempts as staying and so we are prepared to oppose him again on that basis. Amber Go Go is 8lb better off for a 10 length defeat by Flemming at Catterick last month and given that he stays better, he may be able get involved at the business end once more, but nothing else makes much appeal, and we take Dark Thunder to prevail.
Tam O'Shanter 22-1 Behind from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pewter Light at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Savannah River (IRE) 25-1 Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 14th of 18, 31l behind Northern Minster at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Modulor (FR) 66-1 Led to 6th, pushed along and weakened from 12th, last of 5, well behind Family Venture at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.
Dark Thunder (IRE) 33-1 Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden after 9th, led 3 out until next, weakening when hung left last, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Risetotheoccasion at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Jan.
Flemming (USA) 15-2 Held up, slightly hampered 8th, headway after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, hd behind Wally Wonder at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl (G) gs.
Chris And Ryan (IRE) 25-1 Made most to 4th, in touch until ridden and weakened 7th, 4th of 7, well behind Corlande at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Amber Go Go 25-1 Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, one pace, 6th of 16, 10l behind Flemming at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gs in Feb.
Jack Flush (IRE) 14-1 Chased leaders, lost place 6th, 8th of 15, 32l behind Wally Wonder at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl (G) gs.
