held up, headway 6th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to chase winner 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division when fell 4th
reminders after 4th, always behind, tailed off from 6th
in touch, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, chased winner 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, headway after 3 out, went 2nd soon after last, switched left final 100yds, kept on
made all, ridden from 6th, drifted left final 100yds, all out
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leader, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened
Some out of form contenders here but Sandymac is the pick with Imperial Harry and Wild Tonto the alternatives. Sandymac has been contesting some decent handicaps, noteably a contest won by The Tother One at Sandown in December. He has shown an inclination to race lazily in his races but he should be up to getting involved at the business end. Imperial Harry contested his first handicap last time, finishing fourth. A recent recruit to the Pipe yard, he can step up on that handicap debut and is likely to be thereabouts. Wild Tonto is interesting towards the bottom of the weights. A winner of a Wincanton handicap hurdle in March 2007, that success was attained with plenty juice in the ground and with similar conditions could reward each way supporters. Kentic Power has form in the book that would give him a squeak at possible fancy prices but Sandymac is our choice.
Hidden Weapon 12-1 (11-0) Held up, steady headway when reminders 6th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 40l behind Aigle D'or (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
The Composer 66-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 25l behind Panjo Bere (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Killing Me Softly 33-1 (11-0) Led until fell at the 2nd in race won by Robin De Sherwood (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Double Header (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 15, well behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Saratogane (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Mistake 2nd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Red Moor (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Devils River (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakening when mistake 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Sandymac (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 17, 8l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Dalaram (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened 7th, tailed off from 8th, 10th of 12, well behind Cave of The Giant (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Kinetic Power (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 7th, struggling next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Iwillrememberyou (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Imperial Harry 4-1fav (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 7th, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 8l behind Cave of The Giant (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) In touch, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Mendosino (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Opal Ridge 66-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders until not fluent 6th, soon ridden, beaten 4 out, 6th of 10, 20l behind Nemetan (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
