chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
soon driven along in touch, blundered 4th, behind from next, tailed off 4 out, stayed on again from 3 out, never trouble leaders
led until 3rd, chased leaders, gradually faded from 8th, behind when pulled up and unseated rider approaching 3 out
pulled hard, held up, headway after 4th to track winner, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
behind from 4th, tailed off
in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden after 11th, hit last, kept on same pace
led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, kept on well
mistakes, held up, hit 1st and 6th, headway after 8th, hit next, weakened approaching 3 out
This is a wide open handicap chase in which Italian Counsel, Julies Boy and Jupon Vert look to be the leading lights and the vote is given to the last mentioned. The selection looks to be on a fair mark at present and he proved his well-being when a good second behind Wild Power last time out. He goes on the ground and is consistent, and at the forecast odds he could represent the value in the race. Italian Counsel rates the main danger as he was a good second behind Ross Comm last time out. He looks a fair sort but the suspicion is that he is best on a faster surface and for that reason we will oppose today. Julies Boy is another to consider as he has decent form and all his career wins have come for today's pilot who clearly gets a good tune out of him. Joe Deane ran well last time but that was over a much longer trip than this and for the winner we are happy to return to the course and distance scorer Jupon Vert.
Julies Boy (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Led to 2nd, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Log On Intersky (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Joe Deane (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, led 4 out, soon ridden, headed flat, ran on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Quizzling (10-4) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Vanormix (FR) 40-1 (10-10) Led to 5th, prominent until weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Nycteos (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Jupon Vert (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, rallied and every chance last, held flat, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Wild Power (10-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Message Recu (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden, chased leaders 12th, hit 3 out, weakened after, 5th of 14, 28l behind Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Italian Counsel (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 5th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Ross Comm (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Sept '04.
Woodenbridge Dream (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led, joined after 6th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Sitting Duck 5-2 (11-5) Led 2nd, headed 10th, chased winner after, always held, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Brigadier Du Bois (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs in Jan.
