chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
with leaders, every chance when hit wing 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 6th, lost place 10th, rallied approaching 2 out, kept on flat, just failed
held up, never on terms, jumped right 2 out
led, made most until just after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out, soon ridden, mistake last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden when jumped right 2 out, jumped right last, just held on
prominent, reminder after 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up well in rear, reminder after 2nd, headway after 3 out, no impression
mid-division, struggling 10th, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
in rear, pushed along after 5th, struggling 8th
held up mid-division, headway when mistake 9th, struggling next, jumped right and mistake 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
always behind
A tough race for the punters to sort through and our idea of the winner is Business Traveller with Choumakeur and Anchors Away posessing obvious claims among the opposition. Business Traveller was pulled up on his recent start but he had shown solid form over similar trips and going in the past and if the Prices have been able to rejuvenate him, he could go well at decent odds in what is a dire contest. Choumaker has plenty of questions to answer on what we have seen thus far but has to be respected on the long journey from Somerset. Anchors Away was the subject of plenty of interest at Huntingdon and while he is an out-and-out plodder, there are no worries about the trip. Sharkeys Dream ran a stinker at Newcastle but has form against much better horses than these as recent as six months ago. Natoumba won well on handicap introduction last term although the effect of visors seems to have worn off. Wizards Dust won a moderate affair at Hereford and connections have been lucky enough to find another humdrum affair so quickly. Business Traveller will be a decent prize and he has a first class opportunity on paper.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened after 13th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind The Real Deal (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Giveusaclue (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Natoumba (FR) 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden 6th, some progress when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Stop The Show (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Domenico (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance when not much room last, kept on, 4th of 9, 4l behind Blaze Ahead (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Chilly Milly 9-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, mid-division, ridden and weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Master Somerville (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Wizards Dust 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leader and keen, ridden 2 out, soon led, driven clear last, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Sawpit Sunset (10-10) by 9l, 7 ran.
Union Deux (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, disputing 3rd and hard driven when fell 4 out in race won by Peters Star (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Timetwogo 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, mistakes 5th and 7th, weakened 8th, 5th of 15, 7l behind Jackie Boy (10-10) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Anchors Away 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon tracking winner, lost place before 9th, 6th of 9, 36l behind Blaze Ahead (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Misamon (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, ridden and beaten before 3 out, 8th of 12, 33l behind Pacco (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Business Traveller (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division until dropped to rear after 5th, soon tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Lieutenant (9-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 10 ran.
Morenito (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped right 7th, steady headway next, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 16, 36l behind Peters Star (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 17, 29l behind Stravaigin (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Choumakeur (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leader, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, mistake next, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 10l behind Herald Angel (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
My Bobby 100-1 (10-5) Towarsd rear, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 32l behind Lazy Darren (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Piper Hayes (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 7th, not fluent 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 18, 18l behind Ambrosinni (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.