held up, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after next
led, hit 2 out, challenged after last, headed 75 yards out, soon rallied and every chance, just failed
chased leaders, driven to challenge after 2 out, led 75 yards out, soon hard pressed, just held on
in rear, never dangerous
behind, slow 2nd, beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 4th, soon behind
chased leaders, lost place 4 out
prominent, under pressure after 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division, headway on inside 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace, never able to challenge
Not many of these inspire confidence but Copt Hill ran well again at Newcastle last time having won at the same track before that with Outback Blue well beaten and should be in the mix again. BARATINEUR is looking to end a long losing run but a recent neck defeat at Catterick suggests he’s tumbled far enough down the weights to get his head back in front and he gets the vote. Trapper Peak is not badly treated on his best form and finished a bit closer at Uttoxeter last time while Hey Bob posted one of his better efforts at Musselburgh recently, though one win in 40 attempts over hurdles tells its own story.
Starplex 250-1 (9-13) Raced wide in touch, headway and tracked leaders halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Glan Y Gors (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Baratineur (FR) 11-10fav (10-1) Led clear 2 out until no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Flowery (11-3) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Trapper Peak (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Third Estate (12-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Aza Run (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, well beaten from 3 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Delface (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Surrender 33-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Diocese (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Copt Hill 9-2 (10-4) Led, mistake 1st, headed 4 out, led again before next, headed 2 out, rallied ad every chance last, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Green Zone (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Strait Run (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 21 1/2l behind The Herds Garden (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Hey Bob (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Wot A Shot (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Cyrano Star (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Green Zone (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
First Of Never (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 7, 21 3/4l behind Hartside (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Outback Blue 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake 3 out, 4th 2 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 20l behind Rockliffe (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
