towards rear, ridden and effort after 4 out, weakening when hit next
mid-division, headway 7th, went 3rd after next, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
towards rear, ridden and headway after 4 out, kept on same pace from next
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually faded
towards rear, steady headway from 8th, led approaching 3 out, in command when not fluent 2 out, ridden out
chased leaders, reminders approaching 8th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, kept on, always held from next
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, never a danger after
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
This is a very tricky contest and a narrow vote is given tio Orsus, Spike Jones and Sitting Duck look the best alternatives. Orsus is certainly no world beater but has put in two solid displays recently. His close up fifth in a similar race to this at Ludlow reads well and he could be the safest option this afternoon. Spike Jones has been well beaten in better company but is slipping down the weights and will find these less taxing. Sitting Duck disappointed last time out but his previous victory at Huntingdon entitles him to plenty of respect in this event. In a wide open affairTaksina and Beyondtherealm are certainly no back numberes and so it is with not too much confidence that we select Orsus.
Laurier d'Estruval (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Led 2nd until after 3rd, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Schuh Shine (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 17 ran.
Hope Sound (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Ton-Chee (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May '05.
Beyondtherealm 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, soon ridden, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 7l behind Young Dancer (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Sitting Duck 5-1 (10-11) Led to 4 out, hampered 3 out, eased and pulled up 4 out in race won by Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 11-2 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 6th, hampered next, headway after 8th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 27l behind Le Rochelais (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Pan The Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) With leader led 2nd, headed approaching 7th, soon weakened, 11th of 15, well behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Lonesome Man (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Led until headed 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Orsus (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 5l behind Glimmer of Light (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Taksina 5-1 (9-11) Made most to 8th, weakening when hit 11th, 5th of 7, 27l behind Superrollercoaster (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Notin Hapened (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Led, hit 6th, headed after next, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Trigger The Light (11-11) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
