led, clear 1st until 3rd, headed before next, stayed 2nd until ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
handy in chasing group, closed but dropped to last after 3rd, not fluent next, weakened after 3 out
held up in chasing group, closed 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
handy in chasing group, closed 3rd, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, always held
prominent in chasing group, closed to go 2nd approaching 3rd, led before 4th, edged right approaching last, ridden out
chased leader until approaching 3rd, weakened after 3 out
held up in chasing group, closed 3rd, mistake 4th, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with leading pair
Yossi is the only one of these with the benefit of a recent run, having finished a close second in a claimer on the Fibresand at Southwell last week. The top weight was well beaten in a seller at Hexham on his last start over hurdles, however. Nous Voila was fourth on his reappearance at Uttoxeter in November and has claims on that form, while this represents a drop in grade for Gulf Of Aqaba after three runs in novice company. But, in a race in which stakes should be kept to a minimum, we'll take a chance on the fitness of MARLBOROUGH SOUND. James Turner's 12-year-old was in good form last summer and has won on previous visits to this track, which can only be a plus.
Yossi (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Led until 3 out, led 2 out, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 11, 22l behind Holiday Cocktail (10-12) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Red Lancer 18-1 (11-5) Held up rear of mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, hit last, never nearer, 7th of 11, 9l behind Kensington Oval (11-9) at Towcester 2m 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Gulf Of Aqaba (USA) 33-1 (11-5) In touch on inside, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, 38l behind Bermuda Boy (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Marlborough Sound 11-4fav (10-6) Soon in mid-division, headway 6th, hit next, mistake and hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied to chase winner from 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Strobe (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Orang Outan (FR) 11-4 (10-13) Prominent until ridden and lost place 7th, soon beaten, 10th of 11, well behind Industrial Star (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr '09.
Nous Voila (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd briefly 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Marino Prince (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Andy Gin (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Soon pushed along in rear, never a factor, 9th of 18, 28l behind No Supper (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar '09.
