always towards rear, weakened, pulled up before 5th
held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, switched left, effort next, ridden, kept on same pace approaching last
in touch, headway 3 out, every chance next, 1 length down and held when hit last
held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, led next, driven, kept on well flat
in touch, 6th, outpaced when fell heavily 5th
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
in touch, chased leader 4th until lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, headway 5th, challenged after 3 out, ridden next, no impression approaching last
mid-division, pushed along 4th, soon ridden, lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, tracked leader to 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, led, headed 2 out, one pace approaching last
chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened
behind, reminders after 2nd, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Monroe Gold, Devils Delight, Kyathos and Wood Fern are amongst those that make some appeal but we also like Mischief Man and Pearl with the former gaining a narrow vote. The selection impressively landed a bumper on debut in 2006 but has rarely threatened to reproduce that form. There was a glimmer of encouragement to be gleaned from his latest run though and it's that that we're clinging to here. He was behind Kyathos but that one is thoroughly exposed whereas the selection is comparatively lightly raced. True, that run came back in December and the drop back in trip isn't sure to suit but this isn't a great race and he's given another chance. Pearl has been well beaten in three hurdle races that she had no chance of winning; consequently her chance isn't easy to gauge. The booking of Tony Dobbin takes the eye for this Lambourn raider who sports cheekpieces for this handicap debut; she was rated at around 70 on the level and she may well be up to winning a race from her initial mark. The market should guide. Of the remainder, Wood Fern is one of the more solid options but there's little to get excited about and Mischief Man is the tentative suggestion.
The Weaver (FR) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division when fell 4th in race won by Kingsbury (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gf, 17 ran.
Mr Jack Daniells (IRE) 5-1fav (11-4) refused to race in race won by Market Watcher (10-13) at Clonmel 2m hacp hdl gs in Nov '06, 18 ran.
Wood Fern (UAE) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Psychiatrist (11-7) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Monroe Gold 6-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner in vain 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Top Achiever (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 2 out, kept on, 4th of 13, 12l behind Purr (9-8) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Kyathos (GER) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 35l behind Silver Seeker (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Pearl (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 26l behind Arctic Wings (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Mischief Man 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 6l behind Smart Man (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Strathaird (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division until weakened from 2 out, 9th of 16, 40l behind Prime Contender (11-11) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Cedar Rapids (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Silver Seeker (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Devils Delight (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 47l behind Devilfishpoker Com (11-3) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Kalatime (IRE) 200-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, 37l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Bankalan (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Always behind, weakening when hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Dalawan (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 19 ran.
Dippy Duck (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Led after 1st, quickened clear approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Mini Minster (11-0) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) sft.
