keen, in touch, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, blundered badly, unseated rider 1st
held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader, led 5th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, beaten
in touch, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well
led to 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Speed Venture can land a hat-trick at the expense of Dorneys Well, Jug Of Punch and Blackthorn. Speed Venture has been a grand servant to John Mackie since joining him from Sean Woods five years ago, scoring six times in all over hurdles. He is clearly in good heart at present, having defied a rise for an earlier Bangor victory when disposing of Misbehaviour quite easily at Uttoxeter last month. Another small rise should not prove a hindrance in his current mood, and he can make his fist visit to Towcester a winning one. A first-time tongue-tie saw the ex-Irish Dorneys Well open his account at Chepstow 12 days ago, and as he is still relatively unexposed, remains interesting for future reference. Jug Of Punch was very lucky to collect at Ludlow a fortnight ago as Elaala was all set to score when falling at the last, leaving Simon Lewis's charge with the race at his mercy. He has more to do here anyway as does Blackthorn who has failed to add to his moderate selling success at Leicester in December. The rest make no appeal either, and Speed Venture is the logical choice.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden 3 out to chase leaders, soon one pace, 7th of 20, 19l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Mnason (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Held up, effort after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Old Feathers (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Speed Venture 7-1 (11-0) Behind, headway approaching 7th, led last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb beating Misbehaviour (11-1) by 6l, 12 ran.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place 4th, behind from 6th, kept on flat, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 18l behind Andreas (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Signature Tune (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, hit 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 16, 31l behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Dorneys Well (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held at rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led after last, driven out flat, won at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb beating Northaw Lad (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Andy Gin (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind when mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Speed Venture (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Blackthorn 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 17, 22l behind The Wife's Sister (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 7th, led after 8th to 3 out, beaten when left in lead last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gd in Feb beating Relative Hero (11-3) by 7l, 13 ran.
