mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, one pace and no impression from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, hit 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway after 7th, led and hit 9th, headed after 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out
held up, not fluent 8th, headway approaching next, led approaching 2 out, driven out
prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace
pulled hard in mid-division, hit 5th, lost place when not fluent next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, fell 8th
mid-division, headway when bumped on bend approaching 9th, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, not quicken flat
led to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 9th, some progress when mistake 3 out, never near leaders
prominent until weakened approaching 9th, tailed off
always behind
in touch, lost place after 5th, behind from next, tailed off
River Ripples fell early on on his last run but is taken to make amends today in an open contest, with Peephole, My Lady Link and L'Eau Du Nil three for the shortlist. Tom George's eight-year-old will be looking to gain some compensation having fallen just four days ago but if that fall hasn't dented his confidence, a mark of 105 should be within his compass. Maktu merits consideration given his consistency, whilst the same applies to Kim Bailey's L'Eau Du Nil. Course and distance winner Herne Bay has the ability if back on form and could go well at a price as could Basic Fact who will need to forget a poor last run. Alison Thorpe has her stable in in good form at the present and the form of her charge Peephole's last win could take a boost with Court Alliance in the 3.30 race. Xellence is pretty consistent over both hurdles and fences and with trip and ground fine he rates a live danger, however for the winner we will return to River Ripples.
Bumper (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Gala Evening (10-11) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Xellance (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden after 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Gidam Gidam (11-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Maktu 4-5fav (11-2) Keen hold, in touch, headway to chase leaders 4th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to chase winner last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Back On Line (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Basic Fact (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon pulled up 3 out in race won by River Ripples (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Herne Bay (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 39l behind Ellway Prospect (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Precious Mystery (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place, 14th of 18, 48l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
River Ripples (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In rear when fell at the 3rd in race won by Ordre de Bataille (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 17 ran.
Deep Reflection 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 19l behind Money Order (10-12) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Absolutelythebest (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
My Lady Link (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 8th, chased winner after next, weakened last, 5th of 9, 10l behind Chickapeakray (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Greenfield (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 12, 21l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Optimum (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Major Euro (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leader until 6th, ridden next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by New Perk (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Royal Cliche 25-1 (11-8) Held up, behind when fell at the 5th in race won by Sultan Fontenaille (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun, 16 ran.
Peephole 3-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, not much room and switched right approaching 2 out, led and mistake last, drew clear run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Court Alliance (11-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
