chased leader, mistake 6th, took closer order 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon headed, weakening when mistake last
in touch, headway 3 out, led on bit before last, pushed clear, easily
led, mistakes throughout, 15 lengths clear 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, outpaced 5 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on well to take modest 2nd after last, no chance with easy winner
behind, headway after 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, effort next, weakened before last, modest 3rd
held up, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Tommy Rapper is not an easy ride and was outstayed over this course and distance in December when odds-on. He subsequently landed the odds at Doncaster with the minimum of fuss but doesn’t look the heartiest of battlers. Seaston Spirit made a winning start over hurdles at Fontwell, despite making mistakes, but he also has a penalty and the second has been beaten again since. COEUR PENSIF was eight lengths behind Tommy Rapper here last time but is 6lb better off and may be the value to overturn the form. Transpennine Star can only improve on his third at Leicester but has a lot to find on collateral form.
Seaston Spirit 7-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, blundered 5 out, led last, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Puppet Warrior (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tommy Rapper (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, soon challenged on bit, led last, kept on, won at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan beating Book of Gold (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Coeur Pensif (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8 1/4l behind Pauls Hill (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Sergeant Brody 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, in 5th before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Head To The Stars (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Transpennine Star 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, shaken up after 7th, some headway from 3 out, left 3rd last, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 27l behind Rosmuc Relay (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Lara Trot (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Pr, chsd ldrs in 3rd untl 4th, pushed aftr 3out, went 3rd bef 2out, no ex aftr 2out & drpd 4th bef last, wknd flat, 4th of 7, 16l behind In Arrears (11-11) at Lingstown 3m mdn sft in Nov.
