close up, not fluent 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, led 6th, ran on, readily
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch in rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling from 6th, behind from 3 out
led, headed 6th, tracked winner until 4 out, weakened 2 out
close up, chased winner 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
Sam's Gunner won a Grade 3 three years ago but appearances since have been sporadic and he’s never reproduced that form. Sidi Ismael is consistent but now 0-9 over timber while Tabou Beach Boy is still 6lb higher than when successful at Musselburgh last year. CHINWAG has gone up a further 2lb since failing to land the hat-trick at Taunton but the form of that latter race has been franked and Neil Mulholland’s charge will be helped by his rider’s 7lb claim. Conceal has disappointed since second over a longer trip here in November.
Sam's Gunner 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 13, 18l behind Mint Condition (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Chinwag 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, went 2nd again turning in, 1 length down when hit last, edged left and no extra run-in, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Pyramid Place (10-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Sidi Ismael (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, closer tracking leaders at 6th, pushed along after 4 out, went modest 2nd 3 out until next, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 9l behind Quest For Life (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Reverant Cust (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost position and pushed along after 8th, outpaced after 10th, no impression, 6th of 7, dist behind De Forgotten One (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Tabou Beach Boy 9-1 (11-4) Led chasing group, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 19 1/2l behind The Steward (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Kauto D'Amour (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Midfield, mistake 6 out, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Toi Storey (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Conceal (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not much room 3rd, went remote 3rd when not fluent 3 out, no chance with front pair, lost 4th from last, 5th of 12, dist behind Grumpy Charley (11-4) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
