chased leaders, driven before 6th, soon ridden, kept under pressure to take 3rd flat, just failed for 2nd near finish, no impression
led to after 4th, led again next, headed 2 out (usual 3 out), driven to regain lead approaching bypassed 2 out, ridden clear when wandered flat, kept on
held up in last pair, outpaced 6th, ridden and kept on under pressure before last, never near leaders
held up in touch when fell heavily 3rd
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 4th to next, lost place 2 out (usual 3 out), soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, 3rd and driven after 2 out (usual 3 out), effort to challenge approaching bypassed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, just held on for 2nd near finish
held up in last pair, struggling 5th, never on terms
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced in 4th after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened last
tracked leaders, led 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and headed approaching bypassed 2 out, no impression with front pair before last, lost 3rd flat
Join The Navy won over 2m4f here in February and went very close to following up nine days later. But he's gone up a further 5lb and the drop in distance may not be to his advantage. Waving has been in terrific form on the Polytrack but hasn't shown the same aptitude so far for hurdling while Mr Fickle is 6lb higher than when runner-up at Warwick. POLSTAR couldn't follow up his Doncaster victory when favourite at Sedgefield but wasn't beaten far and McCoy takes over the reins today. Harry Whittington's charge may be the answer to a trick puzzle ahead of recent course and distance second Frozen Over.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, hung left and headed flat, held when impeded close home, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Good of Luck (10-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Polstar (FR) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on same pace and no impression, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Stanley Bridge (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Join The Navy 7-2 (11-9) Started slowly, held up well in rear, steady headway before 3 out, tracked leaders in 4th 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind The Darling Boy (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Waving 20-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to dispute 2nd when mistake last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Imperial Stargazer (10-12) at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Maxi Mac (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, closed from after 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakened after next, 10th of 13, well behind Agreement (10-7) at Stratford 2m 4yo hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Frozen Over 20-1 (10-7) In touch, effort 2 out, soon chasing winner, never able to challenge, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Superciliary (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Iguacu 14-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, hung right before next, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 11, 6l behind Great Link (11-3) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Echoes Of Joy 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division on outside, closed before 3rd, pecked 5th, led approaching last, mistake at hurdle, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Osgood (10-12) at Stratford 2m sel hcp hdle 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Poetic Power (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Mid-division, hampered 4th, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 26l behind Pure Style (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
