pulled hard, soon prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened 3f out
held up, hampered after 4th, never dangerous
towards rear, headway approaching last, kept on to take 2nd close home
led after 1st, headed approaching last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pulled up after 4th
held up mid-division, headway 2 out, led 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1st, headed soon after, weakened approaching last
towards rear, headway approaching last, held final 4f
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up, headway approaching last, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden out
fell 1st
in touch, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, led after last, headed approaching 3f out
towards rear, headway approaching last, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
always in rear
With just 10lb in the handicap separating the intended 15 runners, this is one of the toughest punting conundrums of the day; Milan Deux Mille heads our shortlist, while Transvestite, Archie Gunn and Mollys Garden others worth noting in the betting. Mollys Garden - a graduate of the Irish pointing scene - is steadily getting the hang of things and looks sure to pay his way for his astute trainer. He looks good value for a place in the frame. Archie Gunn is also on the cusp of success and brings solid form to the table. He also brings a 0-from-20 record, though. Which is obviously a touch disconcerting. Transvestite is also yet to get off the mark since he switched codes (sorry) but he does possess the ability to score at this level. He is versatile regarding the ground and is no forlorn hope today. However, MILAN DEAUX MILLE, having won off a 22lb higher mark over fences, is very well treated in comparison to his chase rating and is a sound betting proposition in a nightmare of a race to fathom out.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, raced keenly, headway approaching 5th, went 3rd after next, weakened well before 2 out, 3rd of 10, 36l behind Fiendish Flame (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Katalak (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, no chance when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Parsons Pistol (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Oct, 14 ran.
Blazing Desert 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 16, well behind Silk Affair (10-8) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Always behind, pushed along after 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Archie Gunn 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway after 8th, not clear run approaching 3 out, soon switched left, kept on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Patsy Finnegan (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Istron Bay 20-1 (11-1) In touch, chased winner approaching 3 out until before 2 out, weakening when hung left on bend approaching last, 4th of 15, 26l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Haldibari (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened after 3 out, hit 2 out, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Kayf Aramis (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Transvestite (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, steady headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, chased winner, held before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 2l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Santarctique (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 14, 21l behind Wise Men Say (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Mollys Garden (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up last, headway approaching 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Farmers Cross (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 16, 24l behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Inchloch 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Bring It On Home 33-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Vodka Brook (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
Petrus De Sormain (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Glenary (9-11) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Zelos (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Ben Britten (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
